CVE-2008-2991 in RoboHelp Server
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Adobe RoboHelp Server 6 and 7 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via vectors related to the Help Errors log.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/23/2025
Adobe RoboHelp Server versions 6 and 7 contain a cross-site scripting vulnerability that enables remote attackers to execute malicious web scripts or HTML code through the Help Errors log functionality. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, specifically representing a stored XSS attack vector where malicious input is persisted and subsequently executed in the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability exists because the application fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input that is logged in the Help Errors log, allowing attackers to inject malicious payloads that are then rendered to unsuspecting users who access the error logs. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it leverages the server's own logging mechanism to deliver malicious content, making it difficult to distinguish between legitimate error messages and injected attacks. The security implications extend beyond simple script execution, as this vulnerability can be exploited to perform session hijacking, deface the application interface, or redirect users to malicious websites. According to ATT&CK framework, this represents a technique categorized under T1566.001 - Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment, where the malicious payload is delivered through the error logging system rather than traditional email vectors. The vulnerability impacts the integrity and confidentiality of the application by allowing unauthorized code execution in user browsers, potentially leading to full system compromise if users have elevated privileges. Attackers can leverage this weakness by crafting specially formatted error messages or input that gets logged, then waiting for administrators or other users to view these logs, thereby triggering the execution of malicious scripts. The flaw demonstrates poor input validation and output encoding practices, which are fundamental security requirements for preventing XSS attacks. Organizations using Adobe RoboHelp Server versions 6 or 7 should immediately implement mitigations including input sanitization, output encoding, and access controls for error log viewing. The vulnerability underscores the importance of proper security testing during software development and the necessity of maintaining up-to-date software versions to protect against known exploits. This particular vulnerability highlights the risks associated with legacy software systems that may no longer receive security updates, making them prime targets for exploitation by threat actors seeking to leverage known weaknesses in older applications. The impact on enterprise environments can be significant as these servers often serve critical documentation and help systems that users frequently access, making the attack surface particularly large and the potential damage from successful exploitation substantial.