CVE-2007-4745 in Site Server
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in the AkoBook 3.42 and earlier component (com_akobook) for Mambo allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via Javascript events in the (1) gbmail and (2) gbpage parameters in the sign function.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/02/2017
The CVE-2007-4745 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw discovered in the AkoBook component version 3.42 and earlier for the Mambo content management system. This vulnerability specifically affects the com_akobook component and demonstrates a classic input validation failure that enables malicious actors to execute arbitrary code within the context of user browsers. The flaw exists within the sign function of the component where user-supplied parameters are not properly sanitized before being processed and rendered back to users. The vulnerability impacts two distinct parameter fields: gbmail and gbpage, both of which are susceptible to javascript event injection attacks that can be leveraged by remote attackers without requiring authentication or privileged access.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient output encoding and input validation mechanisms within the AkoBook component's handling of user-provided data. When users interact with the sign function and provide malicious input through the gbmail or gbpage parameters, the application fails to properly escape or sanitize special characters that could be interpreted as HTML or javascript code. This lack of proper sanitization creates an environment where attackers can inject malicious scripts that execute in the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, specifically representing a stored XSS variant where malicious payloads can persist and affect multiple users who view the affected content. The attack vector operates entirely through web-based interfaces, making it accessible to attackers with no local system access requirements.
The operational impact of CVE-2007-4745 extends beyond simple script execution capabilities and can enable sophisticated attack chains that compromise user sessions and steal sensitive information. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to hijack user sessions, redirect victims to malicious sites, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. The vulnerability affects the entire user base of the Mambo system utilizing the affected AkoBook component, potentially allowing attackers to gain unauthorized access to user accounts, modify content, or extract confidential data. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous in web applications where users may have elevated privileges or access to sensitive information, as the attack can be executed without requiring any special privileges or system-level access. The persistence of the vulnerability across multiple user sessions makes it a significant threat to application security and user privacy.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-4745 should focus on immediate patching and input validation improvements to prevent the exploitation of this cross-site scripting vulnerability. Organizations should prioritize updating to the latest version of the AkoBook component where the vulnerability has been addressed through proper input sanitization and output encoding mechanisms. The recommended approach includes implementing comprehensive parameter validation that filters out potentially malicious characters and content, particularly javascript event handlers and html tags. Security measures should also include the deployment of web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious input patterns targeting XSS vulnerabilities. Additionally, developers should adopt secure coding practices that enforce proper output encoding for all user-supplied data and implement Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution capabilities. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1566.001 for credential access through social engineering, making comprehensive security measures essential for protecting against exploitation attempts.