CVE-2007-5293 in IDMOS
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in IDMOS 1.0-beta (aka Phoenix) allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) err_msg parameter to error.php and the (2) content parameter to templates/simple/ia.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/07/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-5293 represents a critical cross-site scripting weakness in IDMOS 1.0-beta, commonly known as Phoenix, a content management system that was widely used for web application development during that era. This vulnerability manifests through two distinct attack vectors that exploit improper input validation mechanisms within the application's error handling and template processing components. The presence of these flaws demonstrates a fundamental failure in the application's security architecture to properly sanitize user-supplied data before incorporating it into dynamic web content, creating persistent security risks for organizations utilizing this software.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through two specific parameters that fail to implement adequate input sanitization measures. The first vector involves the err_msg parameter in the error.php script, which receives error messages from various application components without proper validation or encoding. The second vulnerability exists in the content parameter of templates/simple/ia.php, where user input is directly processed and rendered within the web page context. Both of these parameters represent common attack surfaces in web applications where insufficient data validation allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary HTML and JavaScript code. This flaw aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting vulnerabilities resulting from improper input validation and output encoding.
The operational impact of CVE-2007-5293 extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as it enables attackers to execute malicious scripts within the context of authenticated users' browsers. This capability allows for session hijacking, credential theft, and the potential for privilege escalation within the application environment. Attackers can craft malicious URLs containing script payloads that, when executed, can steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or even modify application behavior. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers do not require physical access to the system or direct network access to exploit these flaws, making them particularly dangerous in public-facing web applications. From an adversary perspective, this vulnerability maps directly to ATT&CK technique T1566, which encompasses social engineering and phishing attacks that leverage web-based exploits to gain initial access to target systems.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including input validation and output encoding mechanisms for all user-supplied parameters. The most effective remediation involves implementing proper HTML escaping for all dynamic content and establishing robust parameter validation routines that reject or sanitize potentially malicious input before processing. Additionally, implementing a Content Security Policy (CSP) header can provide an additional layer of protection against script execution even if other defenses fail. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of regular security audits and code reviews, particularly focusing on areas where user input is processed and rendered in web contexts. Organizations should consider migrating to more modern content management systems that have addressed these fundamental security issues through better architectural design and built-in security features. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of input validation and output encoding in preventing XSS attacks, with implications that extend to broader web application security practices and the need for comprehensive security testing throughout the software development lifecycle.