CVE-2008-1991 in Acidcat
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in admin_colors_swatch.asp in Acidcat CMS 3.4.1 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the field parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/21/2024
The CVE-2008-1991 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in the Acidcat CMS 3.4.1 content management system, specifically within the admin_colors_swatch.asp component. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is one of the most prevalent and dangerous web application security flaws. The vulnerability occurs when the application fails to properly sanitize user input before incorporating it into dynamic web page content, creating an avenue for malicious actors to execute arbitrary scripts in the context of other users' browsers.
The technical flaw manifests in the improper handling of the 'field' parameter within the admin_colors_swatch.asp script, which is designed to manage color scheme selections for administrators. When administrators interact with this component, the application directly incorporates user-supplied data into HTML output without adequate validation or encoding measures. This allows remote attackers to inject malicious scripts through the vulnerable parameter, which then gets executed whenever other users view the affected page. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates within the administrative interface, potentially enabling attackers to escalate privileges or gain unauthorized access to sensitive administrative functions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it creates a persistent threat vector that can be exploited by attackers to compromise the entire CMS installation. Attackers can craft malicious payloads that, when executed, may steal session cookies, redirect users to phishing sites, or even execute commands on the server if the application lacks proper input sanitization. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of the web application, potentially allowing unauthorized access to administrative controls and sensitive data. This flaw is particularly dangerous in a content management system context because administrators often have elevated privileges and access to critical system functions.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-1991 should focus on implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application. The most effective approach involves sanitizing all user-supplied input through strict validation routines that reject or encode potentially dangerous characters before they are processed or displayed. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy headers can provide an additional layer of protection against script execution. Organizations should also consider upgrading to newer versions of Acidcat CMS that address this vulnerability, as the affected version is outdated and likely contains other unpatched security flaws. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar input handling vulnerabilities within the application's codebase, following ATT&CK framework principles for identifying and remediating web application threats. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of implementing defense-in-depth strategies that protect against various attack vectors while maintaining the application's functionality and user experience.