CVE-2008-2204 in Maian Search
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in admin/inc/header.php in Maian Search 1.1 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.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/16/2017
The CVE-2008-2204 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw discovered in Maian Search version 1.1 within the administrative interface component located at admin/inc/header.php. This vulnerability affects multiple parameter fields including header through header9, creating a widespread attack surface that could compromise the entire administrative system. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and output sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly escape or filter user-supplied data before rendering it within the web application's response. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79 as a failure to sanitize input data, which directly enables malicious actors to inject arbitrary HTML and JavaScript code into the application's administrative interface.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when remote attackers manipulate the specified header parameters through HTTP requests, injecting malicious scripts that execute within the context of authenticated administrative sessions. When administrators view pages containing these tainted parameters, the injected scripts execute in their browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, privilege escalation, or complete administrative compromise. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple script injection as it creates a persistent threat vector that could be leveraged for data exfiltration, account takeovers, or further exploitation of the underlying system. This type of attack aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, specifically targeting the execution of malicious code through web-based interfaces.
The operational implications of CVE-2008-2204 are severe for organizations utilizing Maian Search 1.1, as successful exploitation could result in complete administrative control over the search application and potentially the underlying server infrastructure. Attackers could manipulate search results, modify content, delete data, or establish persistent backdoors through the compromised administrative interface. The vulnerability's widespread nature across multiple header parameters increases the attack surface and reduces the effectiveness of simple input validation measures. Organizations may face regulatory compliance issues if sensitive data is compromised through this vulnerability, particularly in environments subject to standards such as pci dss or hipaa. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it requires minimal privileges and can be executed through standard web browsing activities, making it an attractive target for automated exploitation tools.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-2204 should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application. The primary remediation involves proper sanitization of all user-supplied input data before rendering it within web pages, utilizing techniques such as html entity encoding, javascript escaping, and strict parameter validation. Organizations should implement a defense-in-depth approach by deploying web application firewalls, input validation rules, and regular security code reviews to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging. The fix should include updating the Maian Search application to a patched version or implementing custom sanitization routines for the affected header parameters. Additionally, security awareness training for administrators and regular vulnerability scanning of web applications can help identify and remediate similar issues before they can be exploited by malicious actors. Organizations should also consider implementing content security policies and strict access controls to limit the potential impact of any successful exploitation attempts.