CVE-2008-1603 in DesignForm
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in GNB DesignForm before 3.9 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors in the email form.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/22/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-1603 represents a cross-site scripting flaw in GNB DesignForm software prior to version 3.9, which constitutes a significant security risk for web applications that rely on this form handling component. This type of vulnerability falls under the broader category of insecure input handling and demonstrates how web applications can be compromised through improper validation of user-supplied data. The issue specifically affects the email form functionality within the GNB DesignForm system, where malicious actors can exploit the lack of proper sanitization mechanisms to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through unspecified vectors within the email form processing mechanism, suggesting that the flaw exists in how the application handles form submissions and processes user input before rendering or storing the data. This typically involves the application failing to properly escape or validate characters that could be interpreted as executable code by web browsers, particularly when the form data is later displayed to other users or processed in contexts where script execution could occur. The vulnerability's classification as XSS aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws in web applications, where input is not properly sanitized before being rendered in web pages. The attack vector likely involves an attacker submitting malicious script code through the email form fields, which then gets executed in the context of other users' browsers when they view the form data or related content.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as it enables attackers to potentially hijack user sessions, steal sensitive information, or redirect users to malicious websites. When users interact with the compromised form, their browsers execute the injected scripts, which could lead to session hijacking, credential theft, or the execution of unauthorized commands on behalf of the victim. The attack surface is particularly concerning because email forms are commonly used for user interaction and data collection, making them attractive targets for attackers seeking to compromise user systems. This vulnerability can be exploited through various attack patterns defined in the ATT&CK framework under the T1566 technique for "Phishing" and T1059 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter," where malicious payloads are delivered through web-based vectors. The impact is amplified by the fact that the vulnerability affects the form processing component, which is likely used across multiple web pages or applications, potentially allowing for widespread exploitation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing robust input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the GNB DesignForm application. The most effective approach involves applying proper HTML escaping to all user-supplied data before rendering it in web contexts, which directly addresses the CWE-79 remediation guidelines. Organizations should immediately upgrade to GNB DesignForm version 3.9 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address this vulnerability. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy (CSP) headers can provide an additional layer of protection by restricting the sources from which scripts can be executed. Regular security testing and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components, particularly focusing on user input handling and data rendering processes. The remediation efforts should also include implementing proper sanitization libraries and establishing secure coding practices that prevent the injection of executable content through form fields, ensuring that all user-supplied data is properly validated and escaped before being processed or displayed in web contexts.