CVE-2008-0497 in CMS
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in action.php in Nucleus CMS 3.31 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the PATH_INFO, which is not quoted when processing PHP_SELF.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/14/2025
The CVE-2008-0497 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw discovered in Nucleus CMS version 3.31 that fundamentally compromises web application security through improper input sanitization. This vulnerability specifically targets the action.php script within the content management system, creating a pathway for remote attackers to execute malicious code within the context of user sessions. The flaw exploits the application's failure to properly quote or sanitize the PATH_INFO parameter, which is processed through PHP_SELF variable without adequate security measures. This creates a direct vector for attackers to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content that can be executed by unsuspecting users who visit affected pages.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's insecure handling of server variables, particularly the PHP_SELF parameter that contains the path information of the current script. When the system processes PATH_INFO data without proper sanitization or quoting mechanisms, it allows malicious input to be interpreted as executable code rather than benign data. This occurs because the application fails to validate or escape the input before incorporating it into dynamic web content, creating a classic XSS attack surface. The vulnerability specifically manifests when attackers manipulate the PATH_INFO component of the URL to include malicious payloads that exploit the unescaped PHP_SELF variable processing.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to Nucleus CMS users and administrators, as it enables attackers to perform various malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, and data manipulation. The remote nature of the attack means that threat actors can exploit this vulnerability from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access to the system or local network privileges. Successful exploitation could allow attackers to steal user authentication cookies, redirect victims to malicious websites, inject phishing content, or even gain elevated privileges within the CMS environment. The impact extends beyond individual user sessions to potentially compromise entire website infrastructures, as the vulnerability affects core application functionality that handles user interactions and content delivery.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with attack patterns documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the web application attack category. Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including input validation and sanitization of all server variables, particularly PATH_INFO and PHP_SELF parameters. Recommended solutions involve applying the vendor-provided security patches, implementing proper HTML escaping for all dynamic content, and configuring web application firewalls to detect and block malicious input patterns. Additionally, security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual PATH_INFO usage patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the critical importance of secure coding practices and proper input validation in preventing common web application vulnerabilities that can lead to complete system compromise.