CVE-2007-3940 in QuickerSite
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in default.asp in QuickerSite 1.7.2 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the svalue parameter in a search action. NOTE: some of these details are obtained from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/05/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-3940 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the QuickerSite content management system version 1.7.2. This particular vulnerability exists in the default.asp script which handles search functionality, making it a prime target for malicious actors seeking to exploit web application security weaknesses. The flaw specifically manifests when the application fails to properly sanitize user input passed through the svalue parameter during search operations, creating an avenue for attackers to execute arbitrary code within the context of other users' browsers.
This XSS vulnerability operates under the Common Weakness Enumeration classification of CWE-79, which specifically addresses improper neutralization of input during web page generation. The attack vector involves remote exploitation where malicious actors can craft specially formatted search queries containing embedded script code that gets executed when other users view the search results. The vulnerability's impact is particularly concerning because it affects the core search functionality of the application, which is likely to be frequently used by legitimate users, thereby maximizing the potential attack surface and exposure window.
The operational implications of this vulnerability extend beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to perform session hijacking, deface web pages, steal sensitive user information, or redirect users to malicious sites. When users perform search operations within the QuickerSite application, any malicious script embedded in the svalue parameter gets executed in their browser context, potentially compromising their session cookies, personal data, or even allowing full account takeovers. The attack requires no special privileges or authentication, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by anyone with access to the vulnerable application's search functionality.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms. The most effective approach involves sanitizing all user-supplied input before processing or displaying it within the application's response, particularly for parameters used in dynamic content generation. Implementing Content Security Policy headers, proper HTML encoding of output, and input validation routines that reject or escape potentially malicious characters can effectively neutralize this class of vulnerability. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious search queries, while regular security audits and penetration testing can help identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components. The remediation process should include updating to the latest version of QuickerSite where this vulnerability has been patched, as well as implementing comprehensive security training for developers to prevent similar issues in future application development cycles. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and script injection, emphasizing the importance of proper input handling in web applications.