CVE-2008-2694 in phpInv
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in search.php in phpInv 0.8.0 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the keyword parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/27/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-2694 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the phpInv 0.8.0 inventory management system. This vulnerability specifically affects the search.php script which processes user input through the keyword parameter, creating an avenue for remote attackers to execute malicious web scripts or HTML code within the context of other users' browsers. The flaw resides in the application's insufficient input validation and output sanitization mechanisms, allowing malicious payloads to be stored and subsequently executed when other users view the search results.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which defines cross-site scripting as a weakness where untrusted data is sent to a web browser without proper validation or encoding. The phpInv application fails to implement adequate sanitization measures when processing the keyword parameter, directly reflecting user-supplied input into web pages without proper HTML escaping or encoding. This allows attackers to craft malicious input strings that, when processed by the vulnerable search functionality, get interpreted as executable script code rather than benign text. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and requires no authentication to exploit, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged by any remote user with access to the application.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as it enables attackers to potentially hijack user sessions, steal sensitive information, or redirect users to malicious websites. When users search for specific terms, the vulnerable application displays the attacker's malicious code within the search results, creating a persistent threat that affects all users who view the affected pages. This vulnerability particularly threatens organizations using phpInv for inventory management, as it could compromise sensitive business data, user credentials, or facilitate further attacks within the network. The attack vector is straightforward and can be automated, making it an attractive target for mass exploitation campaigns.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-2694 should focus on implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the phpInv application. The most effective immediate solution involves sanitizing all user input through proper HTML escaping before rendering any content in web pages, specifically addressing the keyword parameter in search.php. Organizations should also implement a comprehensive input validation framework that rejects or filters out potentially malicious characters and script tags. Additionally, the application should be updated to a newer version of phpInv that addresses this vulnerability, as the affected version 0.8.0 likely contains other security weaknesses. Security measures should include regular security audits of web applications, implementation of content security policies, and proper web application firewall rules to detect and block malicious payloads targeting similar vulnerabilities. This remediation approach aligns with the ATT&CK framework's defensive techniques for preventing code injection attacks and maintaining application integrity.