CVE-2008-0809 in Ikiwiki
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the htmlscrubber in Ikiwiki before 1.1.46 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via title contents.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/07/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-0809 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the htmlscrubber component of Ikiwiki version 1.1.45 and earlier. This issue stems from inadequate input sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly filter or escape user-supplied content when processing page titles. The vulnerability specifically affects the htmlscrubber module which is responsible for sanitizing HTML content to prevent malicious scripts from being executed in the context of other users' browsers. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious title content that contains embedded script tags or other HTML elements designed to execute arbitrary code when rendered by vulnerable web applications.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which categorizes cross-site scripting as a critical security weakness involving the injection of malicious scripts into web applications. The flaw occurs because the htmlscrubber component does not adequately validate or sanitize title parameters before they are processed and displayed within the web interface. This allows attackers to inject HTML tags such as script elements, event handlers, or other malicious constructs that can execute in the context of other users browsing the affected wiki. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because page titles are often displayed in prominent locations within web applications, making them prime targets for XSS attacks that can persistently affect multiple users.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform session hijacking, deface web content, steal sensitive cookies, or redirect users to malicious websites. When users visit pages containing maliciously crafted titles, their browsers will execute the injected scripts, potentially compromising their sessions and exposing them to further attacks. The vulnerability affects any user of Ikiwiki versions prior to 1.1.46, making it a widespread concern for organizations relying on this wiki software. The attack vector is particularly effective because title content is often user-generated and may not undergo the same level of scrutiny as other content types within the application, creating multiple entry points for exploitation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-0809 primarily involve upgrading to Ikiwiki version 1.1.46 or later, which includes patched htmlscrubber functionality that properly sanitizes title content. Organizations should also implement comprehensive input validation at multiple layers of their web applications, ensuring that all user-supplied content undergoes strict sanitization before being rendered. Security measures should include the implementation of content security policies, proper encoding of HTML entities, and regular security audits of web applications to identify similar vulnerabilities. Additionally, administrators should consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring systems to detect and prevent exploitation attempts. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1203, which covers exploitation for privilege escalation, and T1566, which addresses social engineering techniques, highlighting the multi-faceted nature of the threat. Organizations should also conduct regular security training for developers to prevent similar issues in custom applications and ensure proper input validation practices are maintained throughout their development lifecycle.