CVE-2008-2397 in dotCMS
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in search-results.dot in dotCMS 1.x allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the search_query parameter. NOTE: the provenance of this information is unknown; the details are obtained solely from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/11/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-2397 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the dotCMS content management system version 1.x series. This security weakness specifically affects the search-results.dot component, which serves as a critical interface for users to query and retrieve content from the CMS database. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly filter user-supplied data before rendering it within web pages. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious payloads through the search_query parameter, which then gets executed in the context of other users' browsers when they view the search results page.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows established XSS attack patterns where malicious scripts are injected into web applications through user input fields. In this case, the search_query parameter acts as the primary attack vector, allowing threat actors to inject HTML code or JavaScript payloads that execute in the victim's browser session. The flaw resides in the application's failure to implement proper output encoding or sanitization of user-controled data before incorporating it into dynamic web content. This weakness creates a persistent security risk where any user input submitted through the search functionality can be manipulated to deliver malicious code to unsuspecting visitors.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as it enables attackers to establish persistent footholds within the CMS environment. Once exploited, the XSS vulnerability allows threat actors to perform session hijacking, steal authentication cookies, redirect users to malicious websites, or even modify content displayed to other users. The implications are particularly severe for content management systems like dotCMS where administrators and regular users interact with the platform daily, potentially leading to unauthorized access to sensitive content, modification of critical web pages, or establishment of backdoor access points within the organization's digital infrastructure.
Security professionals should approach this vulnerability with reference to CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in software applications. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this weakness under T1059.007 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript' and T1566 for 'Phishing', as attackers can leverage the XSS vulnerability to deliver malicious JavaScript payloads and establish phishing campaigns. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation, output encoding, and Content Security Policy headers to mitigate such vulnerabilities. Regular security assessments, proper code review processes, and maintaining up-to-date security patches form essential components of a defense-in-depth strategy against this class of vulnerability. The remediation process should include immediate patching of affected dotCMS versions, implementation of web application firewalls, and comprehensive user education regarding safe browsing practices to prevent exploitation of such persistent security weaknesses.