CVE-2008-2783 in Groupware
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in Horde Groupware, Groupware Webmail Edition, and Kronolith allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the timestamp parameter to (1) week.php, (2) workweek.php, and (3) day.php; and (4) the horde parameter in the PATH_INFO to the default URI. 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 • 07/09/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-2783 represents a critical cross-site scripting weakness affecting multiple components of the Horde Groupware suite including Groupware Webmail Edition and Kronolith calendar application. This vulnerability resides in the handling of user-supplied input within specific web pages and URI processing mechanisms, creating opportunities for remote attackers to execute malicious code within the context of affected users' browsers. The flaw specifically manifests when the timestamp parameter is passed to week.php, workweek.php, and day.php scripts, as well as through the horde parameter within PATH_INFO processing at the default URI endpoint. These vulnerabilities fall under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is classified as a fundamental web application security weakness that allows attackers to inject client-side scripts into web pages viewed by other users. The attack vector involves the manipulation of input parameters that are not properly sanitized or validated before being rendered in web page output, creating a direct pathway for malicious script execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or session hijacking, as it enables attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities including but not limited to cookie theft, defacement of web applications, redirection to malicious sites, and potential privilege escalation within the application environment. When exploited, these XSS vulnerabilities can compromise user sessions, allowing attackers to perform actions on behalf of legitimate users with their privileges. The affected scripts week.php, workweek.php, and day.php are commonly used in calendar and scheduling functionalities, making them prime targets for exploitation in environments where users frequently access these components. The PATH_INFO processing vulnerability through the horde parameter adds additional attack surface by potentially allowing attackers to manipulate application behavior through URI manipulation techniques that are often overlooked in security testing. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1566.001 (Phishing via Social Engineering) and T1059.007 (Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript), as attackers can leverage these vulnerabilities to deliver malicious JavaScript payloads through crafted web requests.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-2783 should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms across all affected scripts and URI processing components. The primary defense involves sanitizing all user-supplied input parameters including timestamp and horde parameters before they are processed or rendered in web output, which aligns with OWASP Top Ten recommendations for preventing XSS vulnerabilities. Organizations should implement proper HTML encoding of output data to prevent script execution in browser contexts, particularly when dealing with dynamic content generated from user inputs. Additionally, the implementation of Content Security Policy (CSP) headers can provide an additional layer of protection by restricting script execution sources and preventing unauthorized code injection. Regular security updates and patches should be applied immediately upon availability, as this vulnerability affects core components of the Horde Groupware platform. The remediation approach should also include comprehensive security testing of URI processing mechanisms and parameter handling to identify similar vulnerabilities in other parts of the application. Network monitoring and intrusion detection systems should be configured to detect suspicious parameter patterns that may indicate attempts to exploit these XSS vulnerabilities. Security awareness training for developers should emphasize the importance of input validation and output encoding practices to prevent similar vulnerabilities in future development cycles.