CVE-2007-5429 in Nucleus
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in index.php in Nucleus 3.01 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the archive parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/30/2025
The CVE-2007-5429 vulnerability represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw in the Nucleus 3.01 content management system where the index.php script fails to properly sanitize user input passed through the archive parameter. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, specifically classified as a reflected XSS attack vector where malicious payloads are injected into the web application's response. The vulnerability exists due to insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the Nucleus CMS framework, creating an exploitable entry point for remote attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript code in the context of a victim's browser session.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious URL containing script code within the archive parameter and delivers it to unsuspecting users through social engineering tactics or by embedding it in compromised websites. When a victim clicks the malicious link, the script executes in their browser, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it leverages the trust relationship between the user and the legitimate Nucleus website, making it difficult to detect and prevent through standard security measures.
From an operational standpoint, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations using Nucleus 3.01 as their content management platform. The impact extends beyond simple script execution to potentially compromise user sessions, steal sensitive information, and enable further attacks within the victim's browser environment. Security frameworks such as the ATT&CK matrix classify this as a web application attack vector under the technique of "Command and Control" and "Credential Access" where the initial XSS foothold can lead to more sophisticated attacks. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of web applications, potentially allowing attackers to manipulate content, steal cookies, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-5429 should include immediate patching of the Nucleus CMS to version 3.02 or later, which contains the necessary input sanitization fixes. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms to prevent similar vulnerabilities in other applications, following the principle of least privilege and defense in depth. Additional protective measures include deploying web application firewalls, implementing content security policies, and conducting regular security audits of web applications. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and output encoding as fundamental security practices that should be implemented across all web applications to prevent XSS attacks. Organizations should also consider migrating from outdated CMS platforms to more modern, actively maintained systems that provide better security features and regular security updates to protect against known vulnerabilities.