CVE-2007-5480 in InnovaPortal
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in InnovaAge InnovaShop allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) msg parameter to msg.jsp, and the (2) contentid parameter to tc/contents/home001.jsp.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/08/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-5480 represents a critical security flaw in the InnovaAge InnovaShop e-commerce platform that exposes the system to cross-site scripting attacks. This vulnerability affects multiple components of the application and demonstrates a fundamental weakness in input validation and output encoding practices. The affected parameters msg in msg.jsp and contentid in tc/contents/home001.jsp create attack vectors that allow malicious actors to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML code into the application's response. Such vulnerabilities fall under the category of CWE-79 - Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, which is a core weakness in web application security. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be exploited through HTTP requests without requiring authentication or special privileges, making it particularly dangerous for publicly accessible web applications.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly sanitize user-supplied input before incorporating it into dynamically generated web pages. When the msg parameter is passed to msg.jsp or the contentid parameter is processed by tc/contents/home001.jsp, the application does not adequately validate or escape the input data. This lack of input sanitization creates an environment where attackers can inject malicious JavaScript code that will execute in the context of other users' browsers. The attack occurs when a victim visits a page containing the malicious payload, and the injected script executes automatically, potentially stealing session cookies, redirecting users to malicious sites, or performing unauthorized actions on behalf of the victim. This type of vulnerability is classified under the ATT&CK framework as T1566.001 - Phishing with Social Engineering and T1584.003 - Compromise Infrastructure, as it enables attackers to establish persistent access through web-based attack vectors.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, creating potential for significant data breaches and system compromise. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to steal user credentials, session information, or sensitive data from the e-commerce platform. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of the application, potentially leading to unauthorized access to customer information, financial data, or administrative functions. The exposure of such vulnerabilities in commercial web applications like InnovaShop demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and output encoding in web development practices. Organizations using this software face risks of reputational damage, regulatory compliance violations, and potential legal consequences due to data exposure. The vulnerability also enables more sophisticated attacks such as session hijacking, where attackers can impersonate legitimate users and perform unauthorized transactions or access restricted areas of the application.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-5480 must address both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements to prevent similar vulnerabilities. The most effective immediate solution involves implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application, specifically ensuring that all user-supplied parameters are sanitized before being processed or displayed. This includes implementing strict validation of input data types, lengths, and formats, as well as using proper HTML encoding techniques when rendering dynamic content. Organizations should implement Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to limit script execution and prevent unauthorized code injection. The application should also adopt secure coding practices that follow the principle of least privilege and input sanitization. Additionally, regular security testing including dynamic application security testing (DAST) and static application security testing (SAST) should be implemented to identify similar vulnerabilities before they can be exploited. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls (WAF) as an additional protective layer, though this should not replace proper input validation. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of security in web application development and the need for comprehensive security awareness training for development teams to prevent similar issues in future applications.