CVE-2008-2871 in PEGames
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in template2.php in PEGames allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) sitetitle, (2) sitenav, (3) sitemain, and (4) sitealt parameters. 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 • 09/06/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-2871 represents a critical cross-site scripting weakness in the template2.php component of PEGames, a web application framework that was widely used for creating interactive gaming platforms. This vulnerability manifests through four distinct parameter injection points including sitetitle, sitenav, sitemain, and sitealt, which collectively create multiple attack vectors for malicious actors to exploit. The affected system processes user-supplied input without adequate sanitization or validation, allowing attackers to inject malicious scripts that execute within the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability falls under the category of CWE-79 - Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, which is a fundamental weakness in web application security that has been consistently documented across numerous security frameworks and standards.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts malicious input containing javascript or html code and submits it through any of the four vulnerable parameters. When the application processes this input and renders it in the web page template, the injected script executes in the victim's browser context, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites. The attack requires no special privileges or authentication, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by anyone with access to the vulnerable application. This weakness demonstrates a classic failure in input validation and output encoding practices that are fundamental to preventing XSS attacks according to the OWASP Top Ten security principles and the MITRE ATT&CK framework's web application attack patterns.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to perform sophisticated social engineering attacks, steal user sessions, manipulate application data, or redirect users to phishing sites. In the context of a gaming platform, this could result in compromised user accounts, unauthorized transactions, or the distribution of malware through infected game content. The vulnerability affects the core templating system of the application, meaning that any content rendered through these parameters becomes a potential attack surface. Organizations using PEGames would face significant security risks including potential data breaches, loss of user trust, and regulatory compliance violations. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it can be executed through simple web form submissions or URL parameters, making it accessible to attackers with minimal technical expertise.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application. The most effective approach involves sanitizing all user-supplied input through proper escaping techniques before rendering it in web pages, which aligns with the principles outlined in the OWASP Secure Coding Practices. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy headers, using parameterized queries for database operations, and conducting regular security code reviews would significantly reduce the risk of exploitation. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious input patterns, while establishing proper security training for developers to prevent similar issues in future code development. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of secure coding practices and input validation in web application security, particularly in environments where user-generated content is processed and displayed.