CVE-2008-1894 in InfoView
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in desktoplaunch/InfoView/logon/logon.object in BusinessObjects InfoView XI R2 SP1, SP2, and SP3 Java version before FixPack 3.5 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the cms parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/05/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-1894 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within BusinessObjects InfoView XI R2 SP1, SP2, and SP3 Java versions prior to FixPack 3.5. This security weakness resides in the desktoplaunch/InfoView/logon/logon.object component, specifically in how the system processes the cms parameter. The vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is classified as a persistent security flaw that allows malicious actors to inject client-side scripts into web applications. The affected BusinessObjects InfoView platform serves as a critical enterprise reporting and analytics tool, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for organizations relying on its functionality.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the cms parameter is not properly sanitized or validated before being processed by the application's logon mechanism. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious input that includes script tags or HTML content within the cms parameter value. When the vulnerable application processes this parameter and renders it in the user interface without adequate output encoding or validation, the injected scripts execute within the context of other users' browsers. This creates a persistent threat where authenticated users may inadvertently execute malicious code, potentially leading to session hijacking, data theft, or further exploitation of the compromised systems. The vulnerability specifically targets the Java version of the application, indicating that the issue stems from improper input handling within the server-side processing logic rather than client-side validation failures.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can facilitate more sophisticated attacks within enterprise environments. Organizations utilizing BusinessObjects InfoView for reporting and analytics may face significant risks including unauthorized access to sensitive business data, potential privilege escalation, and the compromise of user sessions. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple service packs and versions suggests a fundamental flaw in the application's input validation mechanisms that was not adequately addressed through the standard update cycle. This creates a particularly dangerous scenario where organizations may believe they are protected by updates but remain vulnerable to the XSS attack vector. The attack surface is further expanded by the fact that this vulnerability can be exploited remotely without requiring authentication, making it an attractive target for automated scanning and exploitation campaigns.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-1894 should prioritize immediate patch application to versions containing FixPack 3.5 or later, which addresses the input validation deficiencies in the cms parameter handling. Organizations should implement comprehensive input sanitization measures that validate and encode all user-supplied data before processing, particularly focusing on the logon and authentication pathways. Network-level protections including web application firewalls and content filtering systems can provide additional defense-in-depth layers to detect and block malicious payloads attempting to exploit this vulnerability. The implementation of proper output encoding techniques, specifically HTML entity encoding, should be enforced throughout the application's user interface rendering processes. Security teams should conduct thorough penetration testing to identify potential additional vectors that may leverage similar input validation weaknesses, while also implementing monitoring systems to detect anomalous user behavior patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 for initial access through malicious web content, emphasizing the need for comprehensive web application security controls and user education to prevent successful exploitation attempts.