CVE-2008-1649 in EasyNews
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in staticpages/easypublish/index.php in EasyNews 4.0 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the read parameter in an edp_pupublish action.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/20/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-1649 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the EasyNews 4.0 content management system, specifically affecting the staticpages/easypublish/index.php component. This issue enables malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of legitimate user sessions, creating a significant security risk for web applications that rely on this software. The vulnerability manifests when the application fails to properly sanitize user input passed through the read parameter during an edp_pupublish action, allowing attackers to inject malicious payloads that can be executed by other users who access the affected pages.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of the read parameter in the URL string, which is processed by the EasyNews 4.0 application without adequate input validation or output encoding mechanisms. When a user navigates to a maliciously crafted URL containing XSS payloads within the read parameter, the application incorporates this unvalidated input directly into the HTML response without proper sanitization. This failure to implement proper input validation and output encoding creates an environment where attackers can inject JavaScript code, HTML tags, or other malicious content that executes in the browser context of unsuspecting users. The vulnerability specifically affects the edp_pupublish action, indicating that the issue is tied to the publication or editing functionality of the application's easy publish module.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform a range of malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, defacement of web content, and redirection to malicious websites. Users who encounter the malicious content may unknowingly execute scripts that steal their authentication cookies, redirect them to phishing sites, or modify the content displayed on the web application. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates silently within the user's browser context, making detection difficult and allowing attackers to maintain persistent access to compromised systems. This type of vulnerability directly violates security principles outlined in the OWASP Top Ten, specifically addressing the risk of cross-site scripting attacks that can lead to complete application compromise.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-1649 should focus on implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application's codebase, particularly within the staticpages/easypublish/index.php component. Organizations should employ strict parameter validation to ensure that all user-supplied input is sanitized before being processed or displayed, and implement proper HTML encoding for any dynamic content that originates from user input. The solution involves applying the principle of least privilege by ensuring that the application only accepts expected input formats and rejects any potentially malicious content. Security measures should include input validation that strips or encodes special characters, output encoding that prevents script execution in HTML contexts, and regular code reviews to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which categorizes cross-site scripting as a critical weakness requiring proper input sanitization and output encoding. Organizations should also consider implementing Content Security Policy headers and regular security assessments to prevent similar vulnerabilities in their web applications. The remediation process requires immediate patching of the vulnerable component or complete code modification to prevent the injection of unvalidated user input into the application's response.