CVE-2008-1224 in BosClassifieds Classified Ads
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in account.php in BosClassifieds Classified Ads System 3.0 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the returnTo 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-2008-1224 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the BosClassifieds Classified Ads System version 3.0, specifically affecting the account.php script. This type of vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-79, which defines improper neutralization of input during web page generation as a critical weakness in web applications. The flaw manifests when the application fails to properly sanitize user input received through the returnTo parameter, creating an avenue for malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of other users' browsers.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious URL containing crafted script code within the returnTo parameter of the account.php endpoint. When a victim clicks such a link and the application redirects them to the malicious page, the injected script executes in the victim's browser session, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or defacement of the affected website. This particular vulnerability demonstrates a failure in input validation and output encoding practices that are fundamental to preventing XSS attacks according to the OWASP Top Ten security principles.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it enables attackers to potentially compromise user sessions and access sensitive information within the classified ads system. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it leverages the application's legitimate redirect functionality, making the malicious payload appear to originate from a trusted source. This characteristic aligns with the ATT&CK framework's technique T1566, which describes social engineering tactics used to deliver malware or exploit web application vulnerabilities. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of user data, potentially allowing attackers to access private user information, manipulate classified listings, or redirect users to malicious domains.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both the immediate code-level fixes and broader security practices. The primary remediation involves implementing strict input validation and output encoding for all parameters received through the returnTo variable, ensuring that any user-supplied input is properly sanitized before being processed or returned to users. Security measures should include the implementation of Content Security Policy headers, proper HTML encoding of dynamic content, and the use of secure redirect mechanisms that validate target URLs against a whitelist of trusted domains. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and regular security scanning to detect similar vulnerabilities across their web applications, as this flaw represents a common pattern in legacy web applications that may contain additional undiscovered vulnerabilities.