CVE-2007-4048 in phpSysInfo
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in index.php in phpSysInfo 2.5.4-dev and earlier allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the PATH_INFO.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/24/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-4048 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the phpSysInfo web application version 2.5.4-dev and earlier releases. This vulnerability specifically affects the index.php file and exploits the application's handling of PATH_INFO parameters, creating a significant security risk for web servers utilizing this system information tool. The flaw enables remote attackers to inject malicious web scripts or HTML content directly into the application's response, potentially compromising user sessions and data integrity.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output sanitization within the phpSysInfo application's processing of HTTP PATH_INFO variables. When the application receives requests with PATH_INFO data, it fails to properly sanitize or escape this input before incorporating it into the generated HTML response. This oversight creates an XSS attack vector where malicious actors can craft specially formatted URLs containing script payloads that execute in the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79 as a failure to sanitize or incorrectly sanitizing user-provided data, making it a classic example of client-side code injection.
The operational impact of CVE-2007-4048 extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to perform various malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, and redirection to phishing sites. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability to steal user authentication tokens, modify application behavior, or redirect victims to malicious domains that appear legitimate. The attack requires minimal privileges and can be executed through standard web browser interactions, making it particularly dangerous in environments where phpSysInfo is deployed on publicly accessible servers. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, specifically targeting the execution of malicious scripts within the user's browser context.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate patching of phpSysInfo to versions beyond 2.5.4-dev where the XSS flaw has been addressed through proper input validation and output sanitization. System administrators should implement comprehensive input validation mechanisms that filter or escape all user-supplied data before processing, particularly focusing on PATH_INFO and other HTTP parameters. Additionally, deploying web application firewalls with XSS detection capabilities and implementing proper content security policies can provide additional defense layers. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to OWASP Top Ten security guidelines, particularly those addressing input validation and output encoding to prevent injection attacks. Organizations should also conduct regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning to identify similar issues in other web applications within their infrastructure.