CVE-2008-0909 in Academic Portal
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in browse.asp in Schoolwires Academic Portal allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the c parameter. 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 • 11/11/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-0909 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the Schoolwires Academic Portal web application, specifically affecting the browse.asp component. This type of vulnerability falls under the broader category of CWE-79 - Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, which is a fundamental weakness in web application security that enables attackers to inject malicious client-side scripts into web pages viewed by other users. The vulnerability manifests when the application fails to properly sanitize or encode user-supplied input before incorporating it into dynamically generated web content, creating an opening for malicious actors to execute unauthorized scripts in the context of other users' browsers.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the c parameter in the browse.asp script, which serves as an entry point for attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML content. When a user accesses the vulnerable page with a maliciously crafted c parameter value, the application processes this input without adequate validation or sanitization measures. This allows the attacker to inject JavaScript code or HTML elements that will execute in the victim's browser session, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious websites. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers can exploit it from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access to the target system or network.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can be leveraged to compromise the entire web application's security posture. Attackers can use this vector to steal session cookies, redirect users to phishing sites, deface web pages, or even execute more sophisticated attacks such as credential harvesting through form submissions. The Schoolwires Academic Portal, being a web-based platform for educational institutions, presents a particularly attractive target for threat actors seeking to exploit student, parent, or faculty data. The vulnerability creates a persistent threat vector that remains active as long as the affected software version is deployed, making it a critical security concern for educational institutions that rely on this platform for academic management and communication.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms. The most effective immediate solution involves sanitizing all user-supplied input through proper parameter validation, ensuring that the c parameter in browse.asp accepts only expected data types and formats. Additionally, implementing proper HTML encoding of all dynamic content before rendering it in web pages prevents script execution even if malicious input somehow bypasses initial validation. Organizations should also consider implementing a Content Security Policy (CSP) header to further restrict script execution and prevent unauthorized code injection. The remediation process should include updating the Schoolwires Academic Portal to a patched version that addresses this specific vulnerability, while also establishing robust security testing procedures to identify similar issues in other application components. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 - Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment, as it provides an attack vector for delivering malicious scripts through web-based phishing campaigns targeting educational institutions. Organizations should also conduct regular security assessments and maintain up-to-date vulnerability management processes to prevent similar issues from emerging in other parts of their web infrastructure, particularly given the widespread use of web applications in educational environments that often lack comprehensive security hardening measures.