CVE-2008-2201 in Maian Recipe
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in admin/inc/header.php in Maian Recipe 1.2 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) header, (2) header2, (3) header3, (4) header4, (5) header5, (6) header6, (7) header7, (8) header8, and (9) header9 parameters.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/19/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-2201 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Maian Recipe 1.2 web application, specifically targeting the administrative interface component located at admin/inc/header.php. This vulnerability affects multiple parameter fields within the application's header configuration system, creating a significant security risk for administrators and users who interact with the recipe management platform. The flaw exists in the application's input validation and output encoding mechanisms, where user-supplied data is not properly sanitized before being rendered in the web interface.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of nine distinct header parameters, namely header through header9, which are processed by the vulnerable PHP script. Attackers can inject malicious JavaScript code or HTML content into these parameters, which are then executed in the context of other users' browsers when they view the affected administrative pages. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws, and represents a classic case of improper input validation where untrusted data is directly incorporated into web pages without adequate sanitization or encoding. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it targets the administrative interface, potentially allowing attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive system configurations or user data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to perform various malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, and data exfiltration. When administrators access the compromised administrative pages, their browser sessions become vulnerable to manipulation, potentially allowing attackers to execute actions on their behalf. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1531, which covers "Account Access Removal" through session manipulation, and can also facilitate broader attack chains such as credential harvesting or privilege escalation. Organizations using Maian Recipe 1.2 are at risk of having their administrative interfaces compromised, leading to potential complete system takeover or unauthorized modification of recipe data and user information.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application. The recommended approach involves sanitizing all user-supplied input parameters before they are processed or stored, implementing strict content type validation, and applying appropriate HTML encoding to prevent script execution in output contexts. Organizations should also consider implementing a Content Security Policy (CSP) to add an additional layer of protection against XSS attacks. The fix requires modifying the admin/inc/header.php script to properly escape or validate all parameters before rendering them in the web interface, ensuring that any potentially malicious content is neutralized. Additionally, regular security audits and input validation testing should be implemented to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced in future versions of the application, as outlined in industry best practices for secure coding and the OWASP Top Ten security risks.