CVE-2007-5251 in Helm Web Hosting Control Panel
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in Helm 3.2.16 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via (1) the showOption parameter to domain.asp, or the (2) Folder or (3) StartPath parameter to FileManager.asp.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/31/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-5251 represents a critical cross-site scripting weakness affecting Helm software version 3.2.16. This vulnerability exposes the application to remote code execution through malicious script injection attacks that can compromise user sessions and data integrity. The flaw manifests in three distinct attack vectors within the application's file management interface, specifically targeting parameters within two core files that handle user input without proper sanitization or validation. The presence of these XSS vulnerabilities creates a significant security risk for organizations relying on Helm for their deployment management operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms within the web application's parameter handling logic. When the showOption parameter is passed to domain.asp, or when Folder or StartPath parameters are manipulated in FileManager.asp, the application fails to properly sanitize user-supplied data before rendering it within web responses. This lack of input filtering creates an opportunity for attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code or HTML content that executes in the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, where improper validation of user input leads to unauthorized code execution within client-side contexts.
Operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or session hijacking. Attackers can leverage these XSS vectors to perform persistent attacks against users within the same domain, potentially escalating to more severe compromises such as credential theft, privilege escalation, or redirection to malicious sites. The attack surface is particularly concerning because it affects core file management functionality that users frequently interact with, making successful exploitation more likely in real-world scenarios. Organizations may experience unauthorized access to sensitive deployment configurations, compromised application integrity, and potential data exfiltration through browser-based attack vectors that bypass traditional network security controls.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application's codebase. The recommended approach includes sanitizing all user-supplied parameters before processing, implementing proper HTML encoding for dynamic content, and establishing a robust content security policy to prevent unauthorized script execution. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious payloads, while conducting regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components. These measures align with ATT&CK framework techniques related to credential access and defense evasion, ensuring comprehensive protection against exploitation attempts that leverage XSS vulnerabilities in web applications.