CVE-2007-4264 in simple
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in index.php in Kai Blankenhorn Bitfolge simple and nice index file (aka snif) 1.5.2 and earlier allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) path and (2) download parameters.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/26/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-4264 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw discovered in the snif web application version 1.5.2 and earlier. This vulnerability affects the index.php script within the simple and nice index file system developed by Kai Blankenhorn Bitfolge, which is commonly used to generate directory listings and file navigation interfaces on web servers. The flaw exists in how the application processes user-supplied input through specific parameters, creating an avenue for malicious actors to execute arbitrary code within the context of other users' browsers.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding within the snif application's parameter handling mechanism. Attackers can exploit this weakness by manipulating the path and download parameters in the index.php script to inject malicious javascript code or html content. When the vulnerable application processes these parameters without proper sanitization, the injected code becomes part of the dynamic web page content and executes in the browser of unsuspecting users who visit the affected page. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws where untrusted data is incorporated into web pages without proper validation or encoding.
The operational impact of CVE-2007-4264 extends beyond simple script injection, as it provides attackers with the capability to perform session hijacking, steal sensitive user information, redirect victims to malicious websites, or even deface the affected web server. Since the vulnerability affects the core directory listing functionality, it can be exploited across multiple directories and files within the web application's scope. The remote nature of the attack means that threat actors can leverage this vulnerability from anywhere on the internet without requiring local access to the target system. This characteristic aligns with the attack pattern described in the mitre attack framework under the technique of initial access through web application attacks.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate remediation through input validation and output encoding implementations. The most effective approach involves sanitizing all user-provided parameters before they are processed or displayed in web pages, ensuring that any potentially malicious content is properly escaped or removed. Organizations should implement proper parameter validation that restricts input to expected formats and lengths, while also employing output encoding techniques to prevent the execution of injected scripts. Additionally, the application should be updated to the latest version where this vulnerability has been patched, as the vendor has likely released a security update addressing the specific flaw. The implementation of web application firewalls and security headers can provide additional layers of protection, while regular security audits and penetration testing help identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications within the infrastructure.