CVE-2007-5088 in Freeside
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in search/cust_bill_event.cgi in Freeside 1.7.2 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the failed parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/18/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-5088 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in the Freeside billing system version 1.7.2. This vulnerability specifically affects the search/cust_bill_event.cgi component, which processes user input through the failed parameter. The flaw enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of other users' browsers, potentially compromising the security of the entire system. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting vulnerabilities, making it a well-documented and serious security concern that has been extensively studied in cybersecurity literature.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding within the Freeside application's search functionality. When users submit search queries containing the failed parameter, the application fails to properly sanitize or escape the input before rendering it in web pages. This omission creates an opening for malicious actors to inject malicious scripts that execute in the browser context of legitimate users who view the affected search results. The vulnerability demonstrates poor secure coding practices that violate fundamental web application security principles and is consistent with the ATT&CK technique T1566.001, which covers the exploitation of web application vulnerabilities through injection attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, potentially enabling attackers to perform session hijacking, steal sensitive user data, manipulate application functionality, or redirect users to malicious websites. An attacker could exploit this flaw to access user accounts, modify billing information, or gain unauthorized access to sensitive customer data within the Freeside system. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it requires minimal privileges and can be executed remotely, making it accessible to attackers with basic web exploitation knowledge. This vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of the system, potentially leading to financial loss, data breaches, and compliance violations that could result in significant legal and financial consequences for organizations using the affected software version.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate input validation and output encoding implementations. Organizations should implement proper parameter sanitization techniques to ensure that all user-supplied input is validated against expected formats and encoded before being rendered in web pages. The recommended approach includes implementing Content Security Policy headers, using proper HTML escaping functions, and applying input validation at multiple layers of the application architecture. Additionally, regular security updates and patches should be implemented to address known vulnerabilities, as this specific flaw would have been resolved in subsequent versions of the Freeside software. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive security testing including dynamic application security testing and manual penetration testing to identify similar vulnerabilities in their web applications. The remediation efforts should align with industry standards such as OWASP Top Ten and NIST Cybersecurity Framework to ensure comprehensive protection against similar injection attacks.