CVE-2007-4245 in CONTENTdm
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Search.php in DiMeMa CONTENTdm (CDM) allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via a search, probably related to the CISOBOX1 parameter to results.php in CDM 4.2.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/25/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-4245 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within DiMeMa CONTENTdm version 4.2, specifically affecting the Search.php component. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly process user-supplied data before incorporating it into web responses. The flaw manifests when attackers exploit the CISOBOX1 parameter within the results.php script, which serves as an intermediary in the search functionality of the CONTENTdm platform. The vulnerability's classification as XSS (CWE-79) indicates that malicious scripts can be injected into web pages viewed by other users, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or unauthorized data manipulation.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of the search parameter, where an attacker can craft malicious input that gets reflected back to users without proper sanitization. The CISOBOX1 parameter acts as a conduit for this attack vector, allowing arbitrary HTML and JavaScript code to be executed within the context of other users' browsers. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be leveraged to create persistent attacks that affect multiple users who access the compromised search functionality. The attack chain typically involves an attacker submitting malicious input through the search interface, which then gets processed and reflected back to other users, executing the injected code in their browser context.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, potentially enabling attackers to perform session hijacking, steal user credentials, or manipulate content displayed to other users. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of the CONTENTdm platform, as it allows unauthorized parties to execute arbitrary code within the browser context of legitimate users. This could result in complete compromise of user sessions, unauthorized access to sensitive documents, or the deployment of additional malware through the compromised browser environment. The vulnerability affects the platform's core search functionality, which is fundamental to content discovery within the CONTENTdm system, making it a critical security concern for organizations relying on this digital asset management solution.
Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms to prevent this type of vulnerability from being exploited. The recommended mitigations include implementing strict sanitization of all user inputs, particularly parameters like CISOBOX1, and employing proper context-aware output encoding for all dynamic content. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing content security policies, regular security assessments, and proper web application firewalls to detect and prevent such attacks. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to established security frameworks such as the OWASP Top Ten and NIST guidelines for web application security. This particular vulnerability would be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for credential access through social engineering and T1059.007 for scripting through command and control channels, highlighting the multi-faceted nature of the threat. The vulnerability also underscores the need for regular security updates and patch management processes to address known vulnerabilities in content management systems and digital asset management platforms.