CVE-2008-2445 in Web Group Communication Center
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in profile.php in Web Group Communication Center (WGCC) 1.0.3 PreRelease 1 and earlier allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the userid parameter in a show action.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/22/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-2445 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Web Group Communication Center version 1.0.3 PreRelease 1 and earlier installations. This security weakness resides in the profile.php script where user input is not properly sanitized or validated before being rendered back to users. The specific vector of attack occurs through the userid parameter when the show action is invoked, creating an opportunity for malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of other users' browsers. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is classified as a fundamental web application security issue that has been consistently ranked among the top security risks by OWASP. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation practices where the application fails to properly escape or filter user-supplied data before incorporating it into dynamically generated web content.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as it can enable attackers to establish persistent malicious sessions within the application. When an attacker crafts a malicious userid parameter containing script code, any user who views the affected profile page becomes vulnerable to the injected payload. This creates a potential for session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in a group communication environment where users frequently interact with profile information, as it can propagate through the user base with minimal detection. Attackers can leverage this weakness to execute JavaScript code in the victim's browser context, potentially gaining access to sensitive session cookies, personal information, or even performing actions on behalf of the user. The attack surface is amplified by the fact that the vulnerability affects the core profile functionality of the communication center, making it a high-value target for exploitation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-2445 should focus on implementing robust input validation and output encoding mechanisms. The most effective immediate solution involves sanitizing all user inputs, particularly the userid parameter, by applying proper HTML escaping techniques before rendering any user-supplied content. This approach aligns with the ATT&CK framework's mitigation recommendations for web application vulnerabilities, specifically targeting the execution of malicious code through input manipulation. Organizations should implement Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to limit the sources from which scripts can be executed, providing an additional layer of protection against XSS attacks. The recommended defense-in-depth approach includes regular security code reviews, input validation libraries, and proper output encoding for all dynamic content generation. Additionally, upgrading to a patched version of the Web Group Communication Center software represents the most comprehensive solution, as it addresses the root cause of the vulnerability through proper code implementation and security testing. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of adhering to secure coding practices and following the principle of least privilege in web application development to prevent such persistent security flaws from being introduced into production systems.