CVE-2008-0820 in Etomite
Summary
by MITRE
** DISPUTED ** Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in index.php in Etomite 0.6.1.4 Final allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via $_SERVER[ PHP_INFO ]. NOTE: the vendor disputes this issue in a followup, stating that the affected variable is $_SERVER[ PHP_SELF ], and "This is not an Etomite specific exploit and I would like the report rescinded."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/23/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-0820 pertains to a cross-site scripting weakness discovered in Etomite content management system version 0.6.1.4 Final. This security flaw exists within the index.php file and represents a significant concern for web application security. The reported issue involves the improper handling of user-supplied input through the $_SERVER[ PHP_INFO ] variable, which could potentially allow malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of a victim's browser session. Such vulnerabilities fall under the broader category of CWE-79 - Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, which specifically addresses the failure to sanitize user input before incorporating it into web pages. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic XSS attack vector where attacker-controlled data flows directly into the application's output without adequate sanitization or encoding mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability relies on the manipulation of server environment variables that are typically accessible through the $_SERVER superglobal array in php applications. When Etomite processes the $_SERVER[ PHP_INFO ] parameter, it fails to properly escape or sanitize the input before rendering it in the web page output. This creates an opportunity for attackers to inject malicious payloads that can execute in the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple script injection, as it can potentially enable session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious websites. The attack vector leverages the fact that server variables containing potentially untrusted data are directly incorporated into the application's HTML output without proper validation or encoding, which aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 - Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell for web-based attacks. The XSS flaw demonstrates how improper input validation can create persistent security weaknesses in web applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is substantial for organizations utilizing Etomite 0.6.1.4 Final, as it could allow unauthorized users to compromise the application's integrity and potentially gain access to sensitive information. The vendor's response indicates a potential discrepancy in the reported technical details, as they assert that the actual vulnerable variable is $_SERVER[ PHP_SELF ] rather than PHP_INFO. This vendor dispute highlights the complexity of vulnerability analysis and the importance of precise technical documentation. The stated position that this is not an Etomite-specific exploit suggests that the vulnerability stems from fundamental php application design patterns rather than unique code flaws within the Etomite framework. Such issues typically require comprehensive input sanitization across all server environment variables and demonstrate the critical importance of implementing proper output encoding mechanisms. The vulnerability's classification under CWE-79 underscores the fundamental principle that web applications must treat all user input as potentially malicious and must properly encode output to prevent code injection attacks.
The suggested mitigations for this vulnerability involve implementing robust input validation and output encoding practices throughout the application. Developers should ensure that all server environment variables are properly sanitized before being rendered in web page output, which can be achieved through proper HTML escaping functions such as htmlspecialchars() in php applications. The implementation of Content Security Policy (CSP) headers can provide additional protection against XSS attacks by restricting the sources from which scripts can be loaded. Security practitioners should also consider implementing proper input validation at multiple layers of the application architecture, including server-side validation of all environment variables and user-supplied data. The vendor's position regarding the specific variable involved suggests that broader application security reviews are necessary to identify similar patterns across the codebase. Organizations should also implement regular security testing including automated vulnerability scanning and manual penetration testing to identify and remediate similar issues. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of secure coding practices and the need for comprehensive security testing throughout the software development lifecycle, particularly in web applications where user input can directly influence application behavior and output generation.