CVE-2008-1041 in Matts Whois
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in mwhois.php in Matt Wilson Matt s Whois (MWhois) allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the domain parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/03/2017
The CVE-2008-1041 vulnerability represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the Matt Wilson Matt s Whois (MWhois) web application, specifically affecting the mwhois.php script. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is one of the most prevalent and dangerous web application security flaws identified by the CWE organization. The flaw manifests when the application fails to properly sanitize user input received through the domain parameter, allowing malicious actors to inject arbitrary HTML or JavaScript code that executes in the context of other users' browsers.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs within the web application's input handling mechanism where the domain parameter is directly processed and displayed without adequate sanitization or encoding. When a user submits a domain name containing malicious script tags, the application stores or displays this input without proper validation, creating an environment where the injected code becomes persistent and executable. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited to steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of users, or redirect them to malicious websites. The attack vector is straightforward and requires minimal technical expertise, making it a popular target for both skilled and amateur attackers.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it can enable more sophisticated attacks within the target environment. Attackers can leverage this XSS flaw to perform session hijacking, deface web pages, or even execute commands on the victim's browser through the exploitation of other vulnerabilities. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of user data within the MWhois application, potentially compromising user privacy and trust in the service. From an attacker's perspective, this vulnerability provides a foothold for further reconnaissance and lateral movement within networks where the application is deployed, aligning with the MITRE ATT&CK framework's initial access and persistence tactics.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-1041 should focus on implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms. The application should sanitize all user inputs through whitelist validation, ensuring that only expected characters and formats are accepted for the domain parameter. Additionally, implementing proper HTML encoding of output data prevents malicious scripts from executing even if injected input is somehow bypassed. The recommended approach includes using parameterized queries and input sanitization libraries that specifically address XSS vulnerabilities. Organizations should also consider implementing content security policies to add an additional layer of protection against script injection attacks, while maintaining regular security audits and code reviews to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components. The fix typically involves modifying the mwhois.php script to properly escape or filter user-supplied domain names before rendering them in web responses, thereby eliminating the XSS attack surface and protecting users from potential exploitation.