CVE-2007-4542 in MapServer
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in MapServer before 4.10.3 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors involving the (1) processLine function in maptemplate.c and the (2) writeError function in mapserv.c in the mapserv CGI program.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/25/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-4542 represents a critical security flaw in MapServer software versions prior to 4.10.3, specifically targeting cross-site scripting vulnerabilities that enable remote attackers to execute malicious web scripts within the context of affected web applications. This vulnerability affects the core functionality of MapServer's CGI program, which serves as a crucial component for web mapping applications and geographic information system implementations. The flaw manifests in two distinct code paths within the software's source code, creating multiple attack vectors that could be exploited by malicious actors to compromise user sessions and potentially gain unauthorized access to sensitive data.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding within the processLine function located in maptemplate.c and the writeError function found in mapserv.c. These functions handle user-provided data that flows through the web application without proper sanitization, allowing attackers to inject malicious script code that gets executed when legitimate users view affected web pages. The processLine function in maptemplate.c appears to process line-based data structures that may contain user input, while the writeError function in mapserv.c handles error reporting mechanisms where error messages could contain unescaped user-supplied parameters. Both functions fail to properly escape or validate input data before rendering it in web contexts, creating opportunities for attackers to inject JavaScript code, HTML tags, or other malicious content that executes in the victim's browser.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can lead to session hijacking, credential theft, and potential data exfiltration from web mapping applications that utilize MapServer. Attackers could craft malicious requests that, when processed by the vulnerable software, would execute scripts in the context of authenticated users, potentially allowing unauthorized access to sensitive mapping data or administrative functions. The vulnerability affects organizations that rely on MapServer for web mapping services, including government agencies, environmental organizations, and commercial GIS providers, making it particularly concerning for entities handling sensitive geographic or spatial data. The widespread use of MapServer in web mapping applications means that a successful exploitation could impact numerous websites and services that depend on this software for their geographic information display capabilities.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of their MapServer installations to version 4.10.3 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the identified XSS vulnerabilities. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and output encoding practices at the application level can provide defense-in-depth measures while awaiting patches. Security professionals should also consider implementing web application firewalls and content security policies to mitigate potential exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which describes cross-site scripting flaws, and represents a classic example of insecure data handling in web applications. The attack surface for this vulnerability is particularly broad given MapServer's widespread adoption in web mapping contexts, making it a high-priority issue for organizations maintaining web-based geographic information systems. The remediation approach should include comprehensive testing of patched installations to ensure that the XSS vulnerabilities have been properly addressed and that no regressions have been introduced in the software's core mapping functionality.