CVE-2008-2166 in Java System Web Server
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the search module in Sun Java System Web Server 6.1 before SP9 and 7.0 before Update 2 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unknown parameters in index.jsp.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/10/2019
The CVE-2008-2166 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw discovered in Sun Java System Web Server versions 6.1 prior to SP9 and 7.0 prior to Update 2. This vulnerability specifically affects the search module within the web server's index.jsp component, creating a pathway for remote attackers to execute malicious web scripts or HTML code within the context of victim sessions. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization of user-supplied parameters that are processed by the search functionality, allowing attackers to inject malicious payloads through unspecified parameters within the index.jsp file.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability leverages the fundamental weakness in web application security where user input is directly incorporated into web page responses without proper sanitization or encoding. This type of flaw falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting vulnerabilities, where the application fails to properly validate or encode user-controllable data before including it in dynamically generated web content. The vulnerability enables attackers to bypass standard security mechanisms by injecting malicious scripts that execute in the victim's browser context, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites.
Operationally, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations utilizing affected Sun Java System Web Server versions, as it allows remote code execution through web-based attacks without requiring authentication or privileged access. Attackers can craft malicious URLs containing script payloads that, when executed in a victim's browser, can steal session cookies, modify web page content, redirect users to phishing sites, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. The impact extends beyond simple data theft to potentially compromise entire web applications and underlying systems, particularly when the web server handles sensitive user data or administrative functions. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 which covers Scripting through web shell exploitation and T1566 which addresses credential harvesting through social engineering and web-based attacks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-2166 should prioritize immediate patching of affected Sun Java System Web Server installations to the recommended service packs and updates. Organizations must implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms to prevent user-supplied data from being executed as scripts. Web application firewalls and security monitoring solutions should be configured to detect and block suspicious script injection attempts. Additionally, security teams should conduct thorough code reviews of web applications to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components, implement proper parameter validation, and establish secure coding practices that align with OWASP Top Ten recommendations. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be maintained to identify potential XSS vulnerabilities across the entire web infrastructure, ensuring that all components are protected against similar attack vectors.