CVE-2008-2213 in Maian Links
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in admin/inc/footer.php in Maian Links 3.1 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) msg_script2 and (2) msg_script3 parameters.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/19/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-2213 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Maian Links 3.1 web application administration interface. This issue resides in the admin/inc/footer.php file and affects the application's ability to properly sanitize user input before rendering it within web pages. The vulnerability specifically impacts two parameters named msg_script2 and msg_script3, which are processed without adequate input validation or output encoding mechanisms. The flaw allows remote attackers to inject malicious scripts or HTML content that will execute in the context of other users' browsers who view the affected pages. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting conditions where untrusted data is incorporated into web pages without proper validation or encoding.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts malicious input containing script code and submits it through the msg_script2 or msg_script3 parameters. When the application processes this input and includes it in the footer.php file without proper sanitization, the malicious code becomes part of the web page's HTML output. Upon rendering in a victim's browser, the injected scripts execute with the privileges of the logged-in administrator or regular user, depending on the context in which the vulnerability manifests. The impact extends beyond simple script execution as attackers can potentially steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of users, or redirect victims to malicious websites. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 which describes the exploitation of web applications through various injection attacks including cross-site scripting.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-2213 is severe as it provides attackers with a pathway to compromise the administrative interface of the Maian Links application. Successful exploitation could lead to complete system compromise, unauthorized content modification, data theft, or the establishment of persistent backdoors within the web application environment. The vulnerability affects not only the administrative functionality but also potentially impacts all users who interact with the affected application components. Organizations using Maian Links 3.1 would be particularly vulnerable since the flaw exists in core administrative components that handle user feedback and system messages. The long-term implications include potential data breaches, service disruption, and reputational damage to organizations relying on this vulnerable software platform. Mitigation strategies should include immediate input validation and output encoding, application patching, and implementation of web application firewalls to detect and prevent such injection attacks.