CVE-2008-1753 in OpenCMS
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in system/workplace/admin/workplace/sessions.jsp in Alkacon OpenCMS 7.0.3 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the searchfilter parameter, a different vector than CVE-2008-1510.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/22/2018
The vulnerability described in CVE-2008-1753 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Alkacon OpenCMS 7.0.3 content management system. This security weakness resides in the workplace administration module, specifically in the sessions.jsp file that manages user session tracking and monitoring. The vulnerability manifests when the application fails to properly sanitize user input received through the searchfilter parameter, creating an avenue for malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of other users' browsers. This particular flaw operates through a distinct attack vector compared to the closely related CVE-2008-1510, highlighting the complexity of web application security vulnerabilities in enterprise content management systems.
The technical implementation of this XSS vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the OpenCMS administrative interface. When administrators or authorized users navigate to the sessions.jsp page and interact with the search functionality using the searchfilter parameter, the application processes this input without adequate sanitization measures. This processing failure allows attackers to inject malicious payloads that persist within the application's response, which are then executed in the browsers of legitimate users who view the affected page. The vulnerability specifically targets the administrative session management component, making it particularly dangerous as it could potentially be exploited by attackers to gain elevated privileges or access sensitive administrative functions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, presenting significant risks to organizational security posture and user data integrity. Attackers could leverage this flaw to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious websites, deface administrative interfaces, or even escalate privileges within the CMS environment. The vulnerability's presence in the administrative workspace means that successful exploitation could compromise the entire content management system, potentially leading to unauthorized content modification, user account takeover, or complete system compromise. Organizations using OpenCMS 7.0.3 would face substantial risk of unauthorized access to their digital assets and administrative controls, particularly if the application serves as a critical component of their web presence or internal document management systems.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patch application as provided by the vendor, while implementing additional defensive measures to reduce attack surface. Organizations must ensure proper input validation and output encoding across all user-supplied parameters, particularly within administrative interfaces where privileged access exists. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers, proper HTML escaping techniques, and regular security code reviews can significantly reduce the risk of similar vulnerabilities. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege in web application security. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving code injection and privilege escalation, with potential for lateral movement within the affected system. Organizations should also implement network-based intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts and maintain comprehensive backup and recovery procedures to address potential compromise scenarios.