CVE-2008-0851 in E-learning System
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in Dokeos 1.8.4 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) username parameter to inscription.php, (2) courseCode parameter to main/calendar/myagenda.php, (3) category parameter to main/admin/course_category.php, (4) message parameter to main/admin/session_list.php in a show_message action, and (5) an avatar image to main/auth/profile.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/29/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-0851 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting Dokeos version 1.8.4, a widely used learning management system. This vulnerability manifests across multiple endpoints within the application, creating a comprehensive attack surface that allows remote adversaries to execute malicious scripts in the context of authenticated user sessions. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data before rendering it within web pages. According to CWE-79, this vulnerability directly maps to the classic cross-site scripting weakness where untrusted data is incorporated into web pages without proper sanitization, creating opportunities for attackers to inject malicious code that executes in victims' browsers.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through five distinct parameter injection points that collectively demonstrate poor input handling throughout the application's codebase. The username parameter in inscription.php represents a registration-time attack vector where attackers can inject malicious scripts during user account creation, while the courseCode parameter in main/calendar/myagenda.php targets calendar functionality. The category parameter in main/admin/course_category.php exposes administrative functions to script injection, and the message parameter in main/admin/session_list.php with show_message action creates a path for attackers to inject malicious content during administrative messaging. The avatar image parameter in main/auth/profile.php represents a particularly dangerous vector since image files are often processed without proper sanitization, allowing attackers to embed malicious code within image metadata or file names. These attack vectors collectively demonstrate a systemic failure in the application's data sanitization architecture.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-0851 extends beyond simple script execution to encompass potential session hijacking, credential theft, and data exfiltration capabilities. When successful, these attacks can enable attackers to impersonate legitimate users, access restricted administrative functions, or redirect victims to malicious websites designed to harvest credentials or install additional malware. The vulnerability's remote nature means attackers do not require physical access or local network presence to exploit these flaws, making them particularly dangerous in networked environments. According to ATT&CK framework's T1566 technique for initial access through web application attacks, this vulnerability provides an ideal entry point for attackers to establish persistent access to learning management systems. The widespread use of Dokeos in educational institutions creates a significant risk profile, as successful exploitation could compromise entire academic networks and potentially expose sensitive student and institutional data.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-0851 must address the fundamental input validation and output encoding deficiencies that enable these attacks. Organizations should implement comprehensive input sanitization across all user-supplied parameters, including the specific parameters mentioned in the vulnerability description, while ensuring proper output encoding for all dynamic content. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide additional defense-in-depth protection against script execution, while regular security audits should focus on identifying similar input handling vulnerabilities throughout the application. According to NIST SP 800-53 security controls, proper input validation and output encoding should be implemented as part of the application's security architecture, with regular vulnerability assessments to identify and remediate similar issues. The most effective remediation involves patching the application to version 1.8.5 or later, which includes comprehensive input validation fixes for all identified parameters, along with regular security updates to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in future releases.