CVE-2007-4082 in Article Manager Pro
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in contact_author.php AlstraSoft Article Manager Pro allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the userid parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/25/2017
The CVE-2007-4082 vulnerability represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the AlstraSoft Article Manager Pro application, specifically in the contact_author.php script. This security weakness allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content into the application's response, creating a persistent vector for attacks against unsuspecting users. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it occurs in a web application that facilitates user communication and content management, making it a prime target for exploitation.
The technical implementation of this XSS vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output sanitization within the userid parameter processing. When the application receives user input through the userid parameter in the contact_author.php script, it fails to properly sanitize or encode the data before incorporating it into the HTML response. This allows attackers to inject malicious payloads that execute in the context of other users' browsers. The flaw exists at the application logic level where user-supplied data flows directly into the output without proper security controls, creating a direct pathway for code injection attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it enables attackers to perform various malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, and redirection to malicious sites. Users who interact with the vulnerable application may unknowingly execute attacker-controlled code, potentially leading to complete compromise of their browser sessions. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the web application, as attackers can manipulate user experiences, steal sensitive information, and potentially gain unauthorized access to user accounts. This type of vulnerability undermines user trust in the application and can result in significant reputational damage for the organization.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-4082 should focus on implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms. The most effective approach involves sanitizing all user-supplied input through strict validation and encoding before processing or displaying any data. This aligns with CWE-79 which categorizes cross-site scripting vulnerabilities and recommends input validation as the primary defense mechanism. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy headers and using secure coding practices such as output encoding for html, javascript, and url contexts can significantly reduce the attack surface. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1566 - Phishing, as it enables attackers to craft malicious web pages that can harvest user credentials or perform unauthorized actions. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and regular security testing to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components. The remediation process requires thorough code review of all input handling mechanisms and implementation of proper escape sequences for all dynamic content generation to prevent similar issues in future releases.