CVE-2008-1300 in OpenCms
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Logfile Viewer Settings function in system/workplace/admin/workplace/logfileview/logfileViewSettings.jsp in Alkacon OpenCms 7.0.3 and 7.0.4 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the filePath.0 parameter in a save action, a different vector than CVE-2008-1045.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/14/2025
The CVE-2008-1300 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw discovered in Alkacon OpenCms versions 7.0.3 and 7.0.4, specifically within the Logfile Viewer Settings functionality. This vulnerability resides in the system/workplace/admin/workplace/logfileview/logfileViewSettings.jsp component, which handles administrative logfile viewing operations. The flaw manifests when the application processes the filePath.0 parameter during save actions, creating an avenue for malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of authenticated user sessions. Unlike similar vulnerabilities such as CVE-2008-1045, this particular exploit targets a distinct code path within the administrative interface, making it a unique vector for exploitation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding within the logfile viewer settings handler. When administrators interact with the logfile viewing functionality and attempt to save configuration changes, the system fails to properly sanitize the filePath.0 parameter before incorporating it into the response. This omission allows attackers to inject malicious payloads that persist within the application's administrative interface, where they execute when other authenticated users view the affected settings page. The vulnerability operates under CWE-79, which categorizes cross-site scripting flaws as weaknesses in input validation and output encoding, specifically targeting the improper handling of user-supplied data within web applications. The attack vector involves a simple HTTP request manipulation where the malicious filePath.0 parameter contains encoded script payloads that execute in the browser context of authenticated administrators.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with elevated privileges within the administrative context of the OpenCms application. Successful exploitation enables attackers to perform actions such as viewing sensitive administrative data, modifying system configurations, or even executing arbitrary commands depending on the permissions granted to the compromised administrative account. The vulnerability particularly affects organizations using OpenCms 7.0.3 or 7.0.4 where administrators regularly access the logfile viewing functionality, as the attack requires only a single malicious input to compromise the administrative session. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where administrative access is frequently used and where the administrative interface is accessible from untrusted networks, potentially enabling attackers to escalate privileges and gain full control over the OpenCms instance.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-1300 should focus on immediate patch application, as Alkacon released updates addressing this specific vulnerability in later versions of OpenCms. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation mechanisms that sanitize all user-supplied parameters before processing, particularly those used in administrative functions. The implementation of proper output encoding techniques, such as HTML entity encoding, should be enforced when displaying user-provided data within the application interface. Additionally, administrators should consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious parameter values, and network segmentation should be employed to limit access to administrative interfaces. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which covers scripting through web shells and command-line interfaces, making it a critical concern for defensive security operations. Regular security assessments and input validation testing should be conducted to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in other components of the application stack.