CVE-2008-2980 in HomePH Design
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in HomePH Design 2.10 RC2 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) error_meldung parameter to admin/features/register/register.php, the (2) feature_language[ueberschrift] parameter to admin/features/memberlist/memberlist.php, the (3) language_array[ueberschrift] parameter to admin/features/lostpassword/lostpassword.php, the (4) language_feature[titel] parameter to admin/features/kalender/eingabe.php, and the (5) language_feature[bildmenu] parameter to admin/features/fotogalerie/eingabe.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/29/2024
The CVE-2008-2980 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting HomePH Design version 2.10 RC2, a content management system used for website administration. This vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the application's administrative interfaces, creating multiple attack vectors that enable remote threat actors to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users. The vulnerability affects several key administrative components including user registration, member lists, password recovery, calendar management, and photo gallery features, demonstrating a systemic weakness in the application's security architecture.
The technical flaw manifests through five distinct parameter injection points that bypass proper sanitization controls. The error_meldung parameter in the registration module allows attackers to inject malicious content during error handling scenarios. The feature_language[ueberschrift] parameter in the memberlist component enables script injection within language-specific headers. The language_array[ueberschrift] parameter in the lost password feature creates another injection point during password recovery processes. The language_feature[titel] parameter in the calendar input module and language_feature[bildmenu] parameter in the photo gallery input module provide additional attack vectors through title and menu text fields. These vulnerabilities align with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it allows attackers to execute arbitrary scripts in the context of authenticated user sessions. An attacker could potentially steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious websites, deface the website content, or even escalate privileges within the application. The administrative nature of these vulnerabilities means that successful exploitation could lead to complete system compromise, as the affected parameters are used in privileged interfaces. Users with administrative access could be impersonated, sensitive data could be exfiltrated, and the integrity of the entire website could be compromised. This vulnerability particularly affects the CIA triad by undermining confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the web application's data and services.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-2980 should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms across all user-controllable parameters. The most effective approach involves sanitizing all input data using established encoding techniques such as HTML entity encoding for output rendering and implementing strict input validation rules. Organizations should deploy web application firewalls to detect and block malicious payloads, while also applying the latest security patches from the vendor if available. Regular security testing including dynamic application security testing and manual penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities. The remediation process must include thorough code reviews focusing on user input handling, implementation of context-specific encoding for different output contexts, and establishment of secure coding practices aligned with OWASP Top Ten recommendations. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of defense-in-depth strategies and proper input/output handling in preventing widespread cross-site scripting attacks that could affect critical administrative functionalities.