CVE-2008-2984 in CMReams
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in backend/umleitung.php in CMReams CMS 1.3.1.1 Beta 2 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the lang[be_red_text] parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/29/2024
The CVE-2008-2984 vulnerability represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the CMReams Content Management System version 1.3.1.1 Beta 2, specifically affecting the backend redirection script at backend/umleitung.php. This vulnerability classifies under CWE-79 as an improper neutralization of input during web page generation, making it a significant security risk for web applications that fail to properly validate and sanitize user-supplied data. The flaw manifests when the application fails to adequately filter or escape user input before incorporating it into dynamically generated web content, creating an opportunity for malicious actors to execute arbitrary scripts in the context of other users' browsers.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through manipulation of the lang[be_red_text] parameter, which serves as an entry point for attackers to inject malicious code into the CMS backend. When a user visits a page that includes this parameter without proper sanitization, the injected script executes in the victim's browser, potentially leading to session hijacking, data theft, or further exploitation of the compromised user's privileges. This particular implementation demonstrates a lack of input validation and output encoding practices that are fundamental to preventing XSS attacks, as the application directly incorporates user-supplied data into its response without appropriate security measures.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it enables attackers to potentially escalate privileges within the CMS environment. Given that the vulnerability affects the backend component of the system, successful exploitation could allow unauthorized individuals to manipulate content, modify user permissions, or gain administrative access to the CMS. This represents a critical security concern for organizations relying on CMReams CMS, as the vulnerability can be exploited remotely without requiring authentication or prior access to the system. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it leverages the legitimate functionality of the CMS to deliver malicious payloads, making detection more challenging.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-2984 should prioritize immediate patching of the affected CMS version, as the vulnerability has been identified and documented in the public security community. Organizations should implement proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms to prevent the injection of malicious code, following established security practices such as those outlined in the OWASP Top Ten project and the Web Application Security Consortium guidelines. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers and proper parameter sanitization techniques can significantly reduce the risk of exploitation. Additionally, security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual parameter values in backend scripts, and regular security assessments should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the web application stack. This vulnerability exemplifies the importance of secure coding practices and proper input validation as fundamental defense mechanisms against web-based attacks.