CVE-2007-5403 in HelpBox
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in Layton HelpBox 3.7.1 allow remote authenticated users to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) Forename, (2) Surname, (3) Telephone, and (4) Fax fields to writeenduserenduser.asp; the (5) Filter field to statsrequestypereport.asp; and the (6) sys_request_id parameter to requestattach.asp; and allow remote authenticated users to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (7) Asset, (8) Location, and (9) Problem fields to editrequestenduser.asp; the (10) Asset, (11) Asset Location, (12) Problem Desc, and (13) Solution Desc fields to editrequestuser.asp; and the (14) End User and (15) Description fields to usersearchrequests.asp. NOTE: vectors 5 and 6 do not require authentication to exploit.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/14/2018
The CVE-2007-5403 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in Layton HelpBox version 3.7.1, a help desk management system that was widely deployed in enterprise environments for handling service requests and user support tickets. This vulnerability manifests across multiple endpoints within the application's web interface, creating a comprehensive attack surface that enables malicious actors to inject arbitrary web scripts and HTML content into the application's response. The flaw specifically affects several key user input fields across different ASP pages, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited through various interaction points within the help desk workflow. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79 as a failure to sanitize user input, which directly enables XSS attacks by allowing malicious code to execute in the context of other users' browsers.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output sanitization within the Layton HelpBox application's web forms. When authenticated users submit data through the affected fields, the application fails to properly escape or filter special characters that could be interpreted as HTML or JavaScript code. This occurs in multiple locations including writeenduserenduser.asp where Forename, Surname, Telephone, and Fax fields are vulnerable, as well as in statsrequestypereport.asp where the Filter field presents an attack vector. The most concerning aspect is that vectors 5 and 6 do not require authentication to exploit, meaning that even unauthenticated attackers can leverage these vulnerabilities through the Filter field in statsrequestypereport.asp and the sys_request_id parameter in requestattach.asp. The vulnerability impacts the application's core functionality by allowing attackers to manipulate user data, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or further exploitation of the compromised system.
The operational impact of CVE-2007-5403 extends beyond simple data corruption or display issues, as it creates a persistent threat vector that can be leveraged for more sophisticated attacks within the enterprise environment. Attackers can craft malicious payloads that execute in the context of authenticated users, potentially allowing them to access sensitive service requests, user information, and support tickets that would normally be protected by authentication mechanisms. The vulnerability affects critical business processes including user management, request tracking, and asset management functions, as demonstrated by the vulnerable fields in editrequestenduser.asp, editrequestuser.asp, and usersearchrequests.asp. These attack vectors can be chained together to create more complex exploitation scenarios, potentially leading to complete system compromise or data exfiltration. The vulnerability also impacts the application's integrity and trust model, as users may unknowingly execute malicious code when viewing affected pages.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-5403 should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application. The most effective approach involves implementing strict sanitization of all user inputs, particularly before they are stored in the database or rendered in web responses. This includes implementing proper HTML escaping for all dynamic content, using parameterized queries to prevent injection attacks, and ensuring that all web forms properly validate and sanitize input data. Organizations should also consider implementing Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to prevent execution of unauthorized scripts, as well as deploying web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious input patterns. Additionally, the vulnerability highlights the importance of regular security assessments and patch management processes, as the affected version of Layton HelpBox was likely outdated by 2007 and should have been updated to address known security flaws. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059.007 for script injection techniques, and T1566 for social engineering through malicious content, emphasizing the multi-faceted nature of the threat. Given the age of this vulnerability and the lack of support for the affected version, organizations should consider migrating to modern help desk solutions with robust security features and active maintenance cycles.