CVE-2007-5455 in WWWISIS
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in wxis.exe in WWWISIS 7.1 and earlier allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via a call to the iah/iah.xis IsisScript code, possibly involving the lang or exprSearch parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/07/2024
The CVE-2007-5455 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in the WWWISIS 7.1 software suite, specifically within the wxis.exe component that handles IsisScript code execution. This vulnerability resides in the iah/iah.xis IsisScript interface, where the application fails to properly sanitize user input before incorporating it into dynamically generated web content. The flaw affects all versions of WWWISIS up to and including version 7.1, making it a widespread concern for organizations utilizing this legacy information retrieval system. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the application processes requests containing the lang or exprSearch parameters, which are commonly used for language specification and search expression handling respectively. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious payloads that leverage these parameters to inject arbitrary HTML or JavaScript code into web responses, thereby compromising the security of users interacting with the vulnerable system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the IsisScript processing framework. When the wxis.exe component receives requests containing user-supplied data through the lang or exprSearch parameters, it directly incorporates this data into web responses without proper sanitization. This creates an environment where malicious actors can inject script code that executes in the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws, and represents a classic example of how insufficient data validation can lead to severe security consequences. The attack vector operates through the web interface of WWWISIS, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited remotely without requiring any special privileges or local access to the system. The vulnerability essentially allows for the execution of arbitrary code in the victim's browser context, potentially enabling session hijacking, data theft, or redirection to malicious sites.
The operational impact of CVE-2007-5455 extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable sophisticated attacks that compromise entire user sessions and potentially lead to broader system infiltration. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can execute malicious scripts that may steal authentication cookies, capture user input, or redirect users to phishing sites. The vulnerability particularly affects organizations that rely on WWWISIS for document retrieval and information management, as these systems often contain sensitive or confidential data. The remote exploitation capability means that attackers can target users from anywhere on the internet, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous for public-facing applications. This flaw can also be leveraged as a stepping stone for more advanced attacks, potentially allowing threat actors to escalate privileges or gain access to additional system resources. The vulnerability's persistence in versions up to 7.1 indicates that organizations running legacy systems may be particularly vulnerable, as these older versions likely lack modern security hardening features.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-5455 should focus on immediate remediation through software updates and comprehensive input validation implementation. Organizations must prioritize upgrading to versions of WWWISIS that address this vulnerability, as the affected versions are no longer supported and lack security patches. In the interim period, implementing proper input sanitization measures can help reduce the attack surface, though this approach is less reliable than official patches. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can provide additional defense in depth, though they may not completely mitigate all exploitation vectors. The implementation of proper output encoding for all dynamic content generation helps prevent script execution in user contexts. Security teams should also conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify any other potentially affected components within their WWWISIS deployments. Organizations should consider implementing strict access controls and monitoring for unusual parameter usage patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining current software versions and implementing robust input validation practices, particularly for legacy systems that may not receive ongoing security support. This case also highlights the necessity of following ATT&CK framework principles for defensive measures, particularly those related to input validation and output encoding to prevent code injection attacks.