CVE-2008-0749 in Calimero.CMS
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in index.php in Calimero.CMS 3.3 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the id parameter in a calimero_webpage action.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/14/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-0749 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the Calimero.CMS 3.3 content management system. This security weakness resides in the index.php file and specifically affects the handling of user input through the id parameter when processing calimero_webpage actions. The flaw enables remote attackers to execute malicious web scripts or HTML code within the context of other users' browsers, creating a significant vector for various malicious activities including session hijacking, data theft, and unauthorized actions. The vulnerability operates by failing to properly sanitize or escape user-supplied input before incorporating it into dynamically generated web pages, thereby allowing attackers to inject malicious payloads that execute in the victim's browser environment.
The technical implementation of this XSS vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding practices within the Calimero.CMS application. When the system processes the id parameter through the calimero_webpage action, it directly incorporates this parameter into the web page response without sufficient sanitization measures. This creates an opening for attackers to craft malicious URLs containing script tags or other HTML elements that get executed when users navigate to affected pages. The vulnerability classifies under CWE-79 which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws, where web applications fail to properly validate or escape user-controllable data. The weakness demonstrates poor security hygiene in input processing and output encoding, which are fundamental principles in preventing injection attacks according to industry best practices.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, creating potential for serious security breaches within affected systems. Attackers could leverage this flaw to steal user sessions, modify page content, redirect users to malicious websites, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation does not require physical access to the system or any special privileges beyond the ability to craft malicious URLs. This vulnerability particularly affects organizations using Calimero.CMS 3.3 as it allows attackers to compromise user browsers and potentially gain access to sensitive information or perform unauthorized operations within the application's context. The attack surface is broad as any user visiting a page with the malicious id parameter would be affected, making this a significant risk for public-facing websites.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-0749 should focus on implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application. The primary defense involves sanitizing all user-provided input, particularly parameters like id, before incorporating them into web page responses. This approach aligns with the ATT&CK framework's defense-in-depth principles, specifically addressing techniques related to command injection and code injection. Organizations should implement strict input validation that rejects or escapes potentially dangerous characters and patterns commonly associated with XSS attacks. Additionally, deploying Content Security Policy (CSP) headers can provide an additional layer of protection by restricting the sources from which scripts can be loaded. The most effective long-term solution involves upgrading to a patched version of Calimero.CMS where the vulnerability has been addressed through proper input sanitization and output encoding practices. Security teams should also conduct regular security assessments and penetration testing to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications within their environment, as this type of flaw is commonly found in legacy systems and underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date security practices in accordance with established security standards and frameworks.