CVE-2008-2776 in DT Centrepiece
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in search.asp in DT Centrepiece 4.0 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the searchFor 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 • 11/16/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-2776 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in DT Centrepiece 4.0's search.asp component, classified under CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting vulnerabilities. This weakness exists within the web application's input validation mechanisms, where the searchFor parameter fails to properly sanitize user-supplied data before incorporating it into dynamic web content. The vulnerability stems from the application's failure to implement adequate output encoding or input filtering, allowing malicious actors to inject arbitrary HTML or JavaScript code through the search interface.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when remote attackers submit malicious payloads through the searchFor parameter in the search.asp script. When the application processes this input without proper sanitization, it reflects the malicious code back to the user's browser, executing in the context of the victim's session. This creates a persistent threat vector where attackers can manipulate web page content, steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and specifically targets the user interface components that handle search functionality, making it particularly dangerous for web applications that rely heavily on user-generated search queries.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with a foothold for more sophisticated attacks within the application ecosystem. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability to create persistent backdoors, harvest sensitive user information, or manipulate application behavior through session hijacking techniques. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that search functionality is typically one of the most frequently accessed features in web applications, amplifying the potential damage. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 which covers social engineering through malicious content injection, and T1059 which involves the execution of malicious code through web interfaces.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-2776 must focus on implementing robust input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application stack. The primary defense involves sanitizing all user input through comprehensive filtering that removes or encodes potentially dangerous characters such as angle brackets, script tags, and event handlers. Organizations should implement proper HTML escaping routines for all dynamic content generation, ensuring that any user-supplied data is treated as literal text rather than executable code. Additionally, the application should employ Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict script execution and prevent unauthorized code injection. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities, with the implementation of automated input validation frameworks to prevent future occurrences of this class of vulnerability. The remediation process should also include updating to patched versions of DT Centrepiece if available, as this vulnerability represents a known flaw that has likely been addressed in subsequent releases.