CVE-2008-0564 in Mailman
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in Mailman before 2.1.10b1 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors related to (1) editing templates and (2) the list s "info attribute" in the web administrator interface, a different vulnerability than CVE-2006-3636.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/05/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2008-0564 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting the Mailman mailing list management system prior to version 2.1.10b1. This vulnerability specifically targets the web administrator interface of Mailman, creating a pathway for remote attackers to execute malicious scripts within the context of users' browsers. The flaw manifests in two distinct attack vectors that exploit different aspects of the system's template handling and administrative interface functionality, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged through multiple entry points.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output sanitization within Mailman's administrative web interface. When administrators edit templates or modify list information attributes through the web interface, the system fails to properly sanitize user-supplied data before rendering it back to the browser. This allows attackers to inject malicious HTML or JavaScript code that executes in the context of authenticated administrator sessions. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79 as a failure to sanitize input, specifically manifesting as a cross-site scripting attack that can be exploited through the web application's template editing functionality and list information attribute handling.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-0564 is severe and multifaceted, as it provides attackers with potential administrative privileges within the Mailman system. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could gain access to sensitive mailing list configurations, modify template content to redirect users to malicious sites, or inject persistent XSS payloads that would affect all users who view the compromised administrative pages. This could lead to complete compromise of the mailing list system, enabling unauthorized access to email lists, modification of list membership, and potential data exfiltration. The vulnerability affects the web administrator interface specifically, meaning that successful exploitation requires an attacker to either gain access to administrative credentials or find a way to perform actions within the administrative context.
The attack surface for this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can be leveraged to create more sophisticated attacks within the context of the Mailman administrative interface. Attackers could potentially use the XSS flaw to steal session cookies, redirect users to phishing sites, or modify list configurations to facilitate further attacks. The fact that this vulnerability exists in both template editing and list information attribute handling means that attackers have multiple opportunities to exploit the flaw depending on the specific administrative access they might have. This vulnerability also demonstrates the importance of proper input validation in web applications, particularly those with administrative interfaces that handle user-supplied content. The ATT&CK framework would categorize this as a web application attack vector under the T1059.007 technique for script injection, specifically targeting the administrative web interface of the application.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-0564 require immediate patching of Mailman installations to version 2.1.10b1 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes. Organizations should also implement additional security measures including input validation at multiple layers, output encoding for all user-supplied data, and regular security audits of web applications. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions and implementing proper web application security controls. Administrators should also consider implementing additional access controls, such as role-based access controls and monitoring of administrative activities, to limit the potential impact of such vulnerabilities. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing to ensure that the patch does not introduce compatibility issues with existing Mailman configurations and that all administrative functions continue to operate correctly.