CVE-2007-6574 in Open Source Learning And Knowledge Management Tool
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in Dokeos 1.8.4 and earlier allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via (1) the origin parameter to work/work.php in a display_upload_form action, or the forum parameter to (2) forum/viewforum.php or (3) forum/viewthread.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/03/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-6574 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting Dokeos learning management system versions 1.8.4 and earlier. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is one of the most prevalent and dangerous web application security issues. The vulnerability specifically impacts three distinct endpoints within the Dokeos platform, creating multiple attack vectors for malicious actors seeking to exploit the system's input validation weaknesses.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient sanitization of user-supplied input parameters within the Dokeos application. Attackers can leverage the origin parameter in the work/work.php file during a display_upload_form action to inject malicious scripts, while simultaneously targeting the forum parameter in both forum/viewforum.php and forum/viewthread.php endpoints. These parameters are processed without adequate validation or output encoding, allowing attackers to inject arbitrary HTML and JavaScript code that executes in the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic failure in input validation and output encoding practices, where user-provided data flows directly into the application's response without proper sanitization.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple script injection, as it creates a persistent threat vector that can compromise the entire user base of the affected Dokeos installation. When a victim visits a compromised forum thread or upload form, the injected malicious code executes in their browser session, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites. The vulnerability affects not only individual users but also the integrity of the entire learning management platform, as attackers can manipulate forum content to spread malware or conduct phishing attacks against other users. This creates a significant risk to educational institutions relying on Dokeos for their online learning environments, potentially exposing sensitive academic data and user credentials.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement multiple layers of mitigation strategies to protect their systems. The primary remediation involves upgrading to a patched version of Dokeos that addresses the input validation issues in the affected parameters. Additionally, implementing proper input sanitization measures through regular expression filtering and HTML escaping mechanisms can provide interim protection while awaiting official patches. Security controls should include monitoring for suspicious forum activity and implementing content security policies that restrict script execution within the application context. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007 (Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript) and T1566.001 (Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment), highlighting the need for both defensive measures and user awareness training to prevent exploitation. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of secure coding practices and input validation as outlined in OWASP Top Ten categories, emphasizing that proper output encoding and parameter validation should be integral to all web application development processes.