CVE-2007-5588 in mnoGoSearch
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in mnoGoSearch before 3.2.43 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the t parameter in search.cgi, as reachable from search.htm-dist.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/28/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-5588 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw in the mnoGoSearch web search application. This security weakness exists in versions prior to 3.2.43 and specifically affects the search.cgi script which processes user input through the t parameter. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it allows remote attackers to inject malicious web scripts or HTML code directly into the search functionality, creating a persistent threat vector that can compromise user sessions and data integrity. The attack surface extends from the search.htm-dist file which serves as the user interface for the search functionality, making it accessible to any user interacting with the search page.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output sanitization within the mnoGoSearch application. When users submit search queries through the t parameter in search.cgi, the application fails to properly escape or filter special characters that could be interpreted as HTML or JavaScript code. This lack of proper sanitization creates an opening for attackers to inject malicious payloads that execute in the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability is classified as CWE-79 - Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, which specifically addresses the failure to properly escape or encode user-supplied data before incorporating it into web pages. The flaw demonstrates a fundamental weakness in the application's defense-in-depth approach to handling user input.
The operational impact of CVE-2007-5588 extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to perform session hijacking, deface web pages, steal sensitive information, or redirect users to malicious websites. Attackers could craft search queries containing malicious JavaScript that would execute whenever other users view search results or interact with the affected interface. This vulnerability particularly affects web applications that rely heavily on user-generated content and search functionality, as it undermines the trust model between users and the application. The risk is amplified because the vulnerability is reachable through standard search operations, making it accessible to any user with basic web browsing capabilities and potentially allowing for automated exploitation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of the mnoGoSearch application to version 3.2.43 or later, which contains the necessary fixes to properly sanitize user input. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation at multiple layers including client-side and server-side filtering, ensuring that all user-supplied data is properly escaped before being rendered in web pages. The remediation approach aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 - Phishing: Pre-Targeting, as it addresses the initial compromise vector through user interaction with malicious search terms. Additionally, implementing content security policies and regular security assessments can help prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in the application's codebase, while also providing better monitoring for potential exploitation attempts.