CVE-2008-1972 in Oicgroup
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in the user account creation feature in Exponent CMS 0.96.6-GA20071003 and earlier, when the Allow Registration? configuration option is enabled, allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) username, (2) firstname, (3) lastname, and (4) e-mail address fields. NOTE: some of these details are obtained from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/23/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-1972 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Exponent CMS 0.96.6-GA20071003 and earlier versions. This security weakness specifically targets the user account creation functionality when the Allow Registration? configuration option is enabled, creating an exploitable entry point for malicious actors to inject harmful web scripts or HTML content. The vulnerability affects four distinct input fields including username, firstname, lastname, and email address, demonstrating a broad attack surface that could compromise user sessions and data integrity.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding within the CMS's user registration module. When users attempt to create accounts through the web interface, the application fails to properly sanitize or escape user-supplied data before rendering it back to other users or storing it in the database. This lack of proper sanitization creates an environment where malicious scripts can be executed within the context of other users' browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or unauthorized actions performed on behalf of victims. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws in web applications, and follows the typical attack pattern documented in the ATT&CK framework under T1059.001 for Command and Scripting Interpreter.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it enables attackers to manipulate the application's user interface and potentially gain unauthorized access to user accounts. When users register with malicious payloads in the affected fields, these scripts execute in the browsers of other users who view the affected user profiles, creating a persistent threat vector that can be exploited repeatedly. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates within the legitimate user registration flow, making it difficult to detect and distinguish from normal user activity. Attackers could craft payloads that redirect users to malicious sites, steal session cookies, or perform actions within the application's context, effectively compromising the entire user base that interacts with the affected CMS.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-1972 require immediate implementation of proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the user registration process. Organizations should implement strict sanitization of all user-supplied data, particularly before rendering it in web pages or storing it in databases. The recommended approach involves applying context-specific escaping techniques for HTML, JavaScript, and URL contexts, ensuring that any user input is properly encoded before being displayed or processed. System administrators should also consider disabling the Allow Registration? option if user registration is not essential for the application's functionality, and implement comprehensive monitoring to detect unusual registration patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, regular security updates and patches should be applied to ensure the CMS remains protected against known vulnerabilities, with vulnerability scanning tools configured to identify similar issues in other web applications within the organization's infrastructure.