CVE-2008-1604 in PerlMailer
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in PerlMailer before 3.02 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/22/2018
The CVE-2008-1604 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in PerlMailer versions prior to 3.02, exposing web applications to persistent security risks. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is classified as a fundamental web application security weakness that allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users. The vulnerability exists in the input validation mechanisms of PerlMailer, a widely used email form processing script that facilitates contact forms and email submissions on websites. The unspecified vectors suggest that the attack surface is broad and could potentially occur through multiple input points within the application's processing logic.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability enables remote attackers to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content into the application's output, thereby compromising user sessions and potentially gaining unauthorized access to sensitive data. When users interact with the vulnerable PerlMailer form, their browsers execute the injected malicious code, which can lead to session hijacking, data theft, or redirection to malicious websites. The vulnerability's impact is particularly severe because PerlMailer is commonly deployed on web servers where it processes user input through contact forms, comment sections, and other interactive elements. Attackers can craft malicious payloads that exploit the lack of proper input sanitization and output encoding, allowing them to execute scripts in the context of the victim's browser.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-1604 extends beyond simple script injection, as it creates persistent threats that can be leveraged for advanced persistent threats within web environments. According to ATT&CK framework's T1566 technique for Phishing, this vulnerability can be exploited to deliver malicious payloads through crafted email forms, while the T1213 technique for Data from Information Repositories can be applied when attackers harvest user data through session manipulation. Organizations using vulnerable PerlMailer versions face significant risks including unauthorized access to user accounts, data breaches, and potential compromise of entire web server infrastructures. The vulnerability's long lifespan and widespread deployment in legacy web applications make it particularly dangerous as many organizations may not have updated their systems despite the availability of patches since 2008.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-1604 require immediate implementation of proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms to prevent malicious script injection. The recommended approach involves upgrading to PerlMailer version 3.02 or later, which includes comprehensive input sanitization and output encoding features. Additionally, organizations should implement Content Security Policy headers, sanitize all user inputs through proper validation libraries, and ensure that output encoding is performed for all dynamic content. Security measures should also include regular vulnerability assessments, web application firewalls, and monitoring for suspicious activities. The remediation process must address the root cause by implementing proper parameter validation and ensuring that all user-supplied data is treated as untrusted input, following secure coding practices recommended by OWASP and NIST guidelines for preventing cross-site scripting vulnerabilities.