CVE-2007-6301 in Open Newsletter
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in compose.php in OpenNewsletter 2.5 and earlier allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the type parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/02/2025
The CVE-2007-6301 vulnerability represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw in the OpenNewsletter 2.5 content management system that demonstrates how insufficient input validation can lead to severe security consequences. This vulnerability specifically affects the compose.php script which handles email composition functionality, making it a critical vector for malicious actors seeking to exploit web applications. The vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly sanitize user-supplied input passed through the type parameter, creating an environment where attackers can inject malicious scripts that execute in the context of other users' browsers.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the web application's inadequate filtering mechanisms that allow malicious input to bypass security controls and be rendered directly into web pages without proper sanitization. When a user visits a page containing the malicious script injected through the type parameter, the script executes in their browser session, potentially compromising their security context. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is classified as a weakness in input validation and output encoding. The vulnerability can be exploited through various vectors including reflected XSS where the malicious script is embedded in a URL or form submission, and the payload is immediately reflected back to the user's browser.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform session hijacking, steal sensitive information, manipulate user interface elements, or redirect users to malicious websites. In the context of OpenNewsletter, this vulnerability could allow an attacker to access user emails, modify newsletter content, or gain unauthorized access to administrative functions. The attack typically requires minimal technical expertise since it exploits well-known web application vulnerabilities, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users may not be security-aware. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that it affects the core composition functionality of the newsletter system, which is likely accessed by multiple users with varying privilege levels.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-6301 must focus on implementing robust input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application. The most effective approach involves sanitizing all user-supplied input through proper encoding techniques such as HTML entity encoding, implementing Content Security Policy headers, and utilizing parameterized queries or input validation libraries. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious payloads, conduct regular security code reviews focusing on input handling, and ensure all applications are updated to versions that address this vulnerability. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing to verify that all input parameters are properly validated and that output encoding is consistently applied to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in other components of the system. This vulnerability serves as a prime example of why defense-in-depth security measures are essential, as it demonstrates how a single input validation flaw can compromise entire user sessions and potentially lead to more severe consequences within the broader attack surface.