CVE-2007-4836 in phpMyQuote
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in index.php in phpMyQuote 0.20 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the id parameter in an edit action.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/08/2018
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-4836 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the phpMyQuote application version 0.20. This issue specifically affects the index.php script when processing edit actions, creating a pathway for remote attackers to execute malicious web scripts or HTML content within the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability arises from insufficient input validation and output sanitization mechanisms within the application's parameter handling system.
The technical implementation of this flaw occurs through the id parameter in the edit action context, where user-supplied input flows directly into the application's output without proper encoding or validation. This creates an environment where an attacker can craft malicious payloads that, when processed by the vulnerable application, get executed in the browsers of unsuspecting users. The vulnerability operates under the common web application security principle where untrusted data enters the system through user input and is subsequently rendered without adequate protection measures.
From an operational impact perspective, this XSS vulnerability exposes phpMyQuote users to several potential security risks including session hijacking, credential theft, and data manipulation. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to steal user sessions, redirect victims to malicious sites, or inject content that appears legitimate within the application interface. The attack requires no special privileges beyond basic web access and can be executed through simple URL manipulation techniques, making it particularly dangerous in environments where multiple users interact with the same application.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with the ATT&CK framework's web application attack patterns. Organizations using vulnerable versions of phpMyQuote face significant exposure to these attack vectors, particularly in scenarios where the application processes user-generated content or serves as a platform for collaborative data management. The remediation approach typically involves implementing proper input validation, output encoding, and adopting secure coding practices that prevent user-supplied data from being executed as code.
Security practitioners should prioritize updating to patched versions of phpMyQuote or implementing input sanitization measures that encode special characters in user-supplied parameters before processing. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining current software versions and implementing comprehensive security testing procedures to identify similar injection flaws in web applications. Organizations should also consider deploying web application firewalls and implementing content security policies to provide additional layers of protection against such attacks.