CVE-2008-1209 in Xitex WebContent M1
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in redirect.do in Xitex WebContent M1 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the sid 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 • 11/09/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-1209 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the Xitex WebContent M1 web application framework. This issue specifically affects the redirect.do servlet component where user-supplied input is not properly sanitized or validated before being processed and returned to the browser. The vulnerability manifests through the sid parameter which serves as an entry point for malicious actors to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML code into the application's response. Such flaws are particularly dangerous because they enable attackers to execute code within the context of a victim's browser session, potentially compromising user data and system integrity. The vulnerability's classification as a client-side attack vector places it firmly within the realm of web application security risks that can lead to session hijacking, credential theft, and other malicious activities.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the redirect.do servlet functionality. When the sid parameter is submitted to the application, the system fails to adequately sanitize or encode the input before incorporating it into the HTTP response. This allows an attacker to craft malicious payloads that can be executed when legitimate users browse to affected pages. The flaw operates under the principle that user-controllable parameters are directly embedded into web responses without proper security controls, creating an environment where malicious scripts can be interpreted and executed by web browsers. This type of vulnerability is categorized under CWE-79 as "Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting')", which is one of the most prevalent and well-documented web application security weaknesses. The attack chain typically involves the attacker crafting a malicious URL containing script code in the sid parameter, which is then executed in the victim's browser when they access the compromised page, potentially leading to unauthorized actions performed on behalf of the user.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution to encompass broader security implications for organizations utilizing Xitex WebContent M1. Attackers can leverage this flaw to steal session cookies, perform unauthorized transactions, redirect users to malicious websites, or even establish persistent backdoors within the web application environment. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers do not require physical access to the system or local network privileges to exploit it, making it particularly attractive for widespread exploitation campaigns. Organizations may experience data breaches, loss of user trust, regulatory compliance violations, and potential financial losses due to the compromise of sensitive user information. The vulnerability's presence in a web content management system creates additional risks as attackers can potentially modify content, inject malicious advertisements, or redirect users to phishing sites that can harvest credentials and personal information. This type of vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for "Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment" and T1059.001 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: Visual Basic", as it enables the delivery of malicious payloads through web-based attack vectors.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-1209 should focus on implementing robust input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the web application. The most effective immediate solution involves sanitizing all user-controllable parameters, including the sid parameter, through proper input validation that removes or encodes potentially dangerous characters. Implementing Content Security Policy headers can provide an additional layer of protection by restricting the sources from which scripts can be loaded and executed. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious payloads attempting to exploit XSS vulnerabilities. Regular security testing including automated scanning and manual penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities within the application codebase. The fix should be implemented through proper parameter validation that ensures the sid parameter contains only expected values and does not contain script tags or other malicious content. Additionally, implementing proper error handling and logging mechanisms can help detect exploitation attempts and provide forensic data for incident response activities. Security patches should be applied promptly to address the root cause of the vulnerability, and developers should follow secure coding practices that prevent similar issues from occurring in future releases.