CVE-2008-1414 in Multiple Time Sheets
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Multiple Time Sheets (MTS) 5.0 and earlier allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the tab parameter to (1) index.php, as demonstrated using mixed case and encoded whitespace characters in the tag; or (2) clientinfo.php, (3) invoices.php, (4) smartlinks.php, and (5) todo.php, as demonstrated using a META tag.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/19/2024
The CVE-2008-1414 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting Multiple Time Sheets version 5.0 and earlier implementations. This vulnerability exists within the web application's input validation mechanisms, specifically targeting the handling of the tab parameter across multiple PHP script endpoints. The flaw enables remote attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of victim browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or unauthorized data manipulation. The vulnerability's exploitation demonstrates sophisticated techniques involving mixed case character manipulation and encoded whitespace characters, indicating a level of sophistication in the attack vector that extends beyond simple payload injection methods.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate sanitization of user-supplied input parameters within the application's core navigation logic. When the tab parameter is processed through index.php and multiple other PHP files including clientinfo.php, invoices.php, smartlinks.php, and todo.php, the application fails to properly validate or escape the input before incorporating it into dynamic web content. This failure creates an environment where attackers can inject malicious HTML or JavaScript code that executes in the victim's browser context. The vulnerability specifically leverages the META tag as a payload delivery mechanism, which is particularly concerning as it can be used to redirect users to malicious sites or execute automated actions without user interaction.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or session manipulation to encompass potential business disruption and regulatory compliance violations. Organizations utilizing affected MTS versions face significant risks including unauthorized access to time tracking data, client information exposure, and potential financial fraud through invoice manipulation. The vulnerability's presence across multiple application endpoints increases the attack surface and reduces the effectiveness of perimeter-based security controls. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access patterns, potentially maintaining long-term presence within networks through the compromised time sheet application. The use of encoded whitespace and mixed case characters demonstrates an attempt to evade basic security filters and signature-based detection systems.
Security mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application. The primary remediation involves sanitizing all user-supplied input parameters, particularly those used for navigation and content rendering, through proper HTML entity encoding and validation routines. Organizations should implement strict parameter validation that rejects or normalizes input containing suspicious character sequences, including encoded whitespace and mixed case patterns. The solution aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting vulnerabilities through proper input validation and output encoding. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy headers and regular security code reviews can provide additional defense layers against similar vulnerabilities. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059.007 for script injection techniques, emphasizing the need for robust input sanitization and application hardening measures to prevent exploitation.