CVE-2008-0547 in Candypress Store
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in admin/utilities_ConfigHelp.asp in CandyPress (CP) 4.1.1.26, and probably earlier 4.x and 3.x versions, allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the helpfield parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/15/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-0547 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the CandyPress content management system version 4.1.1.26 and potentially affecting earlier versions in the 4.x and 3.x series. This weakness resides in the administrative utilities configuration help component specifically in the admin/utilities_ConfigHelp.asp file, making it accessible to unauthorized users who can exploit the vulnerability through manipulation of the helpfield parameter. The flaw enables remote attackers to inject malicious web scripts or HTML code directly into the application's administrative interface, creating a significant security risk for systems utilizing this software.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output sanitization within the CandyPress administrative interface. When the helpfield parameter is submitted to the ConfigHelp.asp page, the application fails to properly sanitize or escape user-supplied input before rendering it within the web page context. This omission creates a direct pathway for attackers to embed malicious scripts that execute within the browser context of authenticated administrators who view the affected page. The vulnerability manifests as a reflected XSS attack since the malicious payload is immediately reflected back to the user without being stored on the server, making it particularly dangerous for administrative interfaces where privileged users regularly access sensitive configuration pages.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as it provides attackers with potential access to critical administrative functions within the CandyPress system. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could execute arbitrary code within the context of an administrator's browser session, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The attack vector requires minimal privileges since the vulnerability exists within the administrative utility section, meaning that even unauthenticated users could potentially leverage this weakness if they can somehow access the administrative interface or if the application lacks proper authentication controls. This flaw directly violates security principles outlined in the CWE-79 category for Cross-site Scripting vulnerabilities, which specifically addresses the improper handling of untrusted data in web applications.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate input validation and output encoding measures to prevent malicious scripts from executing within the application's administrative interface. The recommended approach involves implementing strict input sanitization of all parameters received by the ConfigHelp.asp page, particularly the helpfield parameter, and ensuring that all user-supplied content is properly escaped before rendering in HTML contexts. Organizations should also consider implementing Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution within the administrative interface and ensure that proper authentication and authorization controls are in place to prevent unauthorized access to administrative functions. Additionally, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript, as it enables attackers to execute malicious JavaScript code within the browser context of privileged users, potentially leading to further exploitation opportunities such as credential theft or privilege escalation attacks. Regular security auditing and input validation testing should be implemented to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in future versions of the software, with particular attention to the administrative interfaces where such flaws pose the greatest risk to system integrity and security posture.