CVE-2008-0722 in Pagetool
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in index.php in Pagetool 1.0.7 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the search_term parameter in a pagetool_search action. NOTE: the provenance of this information is unknown; the details are obtained solely from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/14/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-0722 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the Pagetool content management system version 1.0.7. This security weakness resides in the index.php file and specifically affects the pagetool_search action functionality. The vulnerability arises from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data before incorporating it into web responses. The search_term parameter serves as the attack vector, allowing malicious actors to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content that gets executed in the context of other users' browsers.
This XSS vulnerability operates under the Common Weakness Enumeration classification of CWE-79, which specifically addresses "Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting')". The flaw enables attackers to execute malicious scripts in the victim's browser session, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious websites. The vulnerability exists because the application fails to implement proper input sanitization techniques and output encoding before rendering user-provided search terms within web pages.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can be leveraged for more sophisticated attacks within the context of the affected web application. An attacker could craft malicious search terms that, when processed by the vulnerable Pagetool system, would execute scripts in the browser of any user who views the search results. This could result in unauthorized access to user sessions, data exfiltration, or the deployment of malware through browser-based attack vectors. The attack requires no privileged access and can be executed remotely, making it particularly dangerous in environments where multiple users interact with the system.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-0722 should focus on implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms. The most effective approach involves sanitizing all user inputs, particularly those used in dynamic web content generation, through the application of context-specific encoding techniques. This includes implementing proper HTML entity encoding for data displayed in web pages and employing strict input validation that rejects or removes potentially malicious content. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing Content Security Policy headers to limit the execution of inline scripts and other security measures aligned with the ATT&CK framework's mitigation recommendations for web application vulnerabilities. The vulnerability underscores the critical importance of input validation and output encoding practices in preventing cross-site scripting attacks, as outlined in various security standards and best practices for web application development.