CVE-2007-6726 in Struts
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in Dojo 0.4.1 and 0.4.2, as used in Apache Struts and other products, allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors involving (1) xip_client.html and (2) xip_server.html in src/io/.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/05/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-6726 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting Dojo 0.4.1 and 0.4.2 versions when integrated into Apache Struts and other web applications. This vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the Dojo JavaScript library components, specifically impacting the xip_client.html and xip_server.html files located in the src/io/ directory structure. The flaw enables remote attackers to inject malicious scripts or HTML content that can be executed in the context of victims' browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, data theft, or unauthorized actions within the affected applications.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through unspecified vectors that leverage the Dojo library's handling of client-server communication processes. When applications utilizing these vulnerable Dojo versions process user input through the xip_client.html and xip_server.html components, the system fails to properly sanitize or encode potentially malicious data before rendering it in web pages. This failure creates an environment where attacker-controlled input can be interpreted as executable code rather than benign data, allowing for arbitrary script execution in the victim's browser context. The vulnerability specifically targets the input/output handling mechanisms within the Dojo library's communication framework, making it particularly dangerous in web applications that rely heavily on dynamic content generation and user interaction.
The operational impact of CVE-2007-6726 extends beyond simple script injection, as it can be leveraged to compromise entire web applications and user sessions. Attackers can craft malicious payloads that persist in application interfaces, potentially affecting multiple users who encounter the compromised content. In Apache Struts environments, this vulnerability becomes especially dangerous as it can be exploited to bypass authentication mechanisms or escalate privileges within the application. The attack surface is broad since Dojo is commonly integrated into enterprise web applications, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for organizations with extensive web-based systems. The long-term implications include potential data breaches, unauthorized access to sensitive information, and the possibility of establishing persistent backdoors within affected systems.
Organizations should immediately implement comprehensive mitigation strategies including updating to patched versions of Dojo library components, implementing strict input validation and output encoding mechanisms, and deploying web application firewalls to detect and block malicious payloads. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and corresponds to techniques documented in the ATT&CK framework under web application attacks and malicious code injection. Security teams should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments of all applications utilizing Dojo libraries, implement proper content security policies, and establish monitoring procedures to detect potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, regular security testing and code reviews should be enforced to identify similar vulnerabilities in other third-party components and prevent future incidents of this nature.