CVE-2008-2994 in PHPEasyData
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in PHPEasyData 1.5.4 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) annuaire parameter to (a) last_records.php and (b) annuaire.php and the (2) by and (3) cat_id parameters to annuaire.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/15/2025
The vulnerability CVE-2008-2994 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting PHPEasyData version 1.5.4, a web application designed for data management and presentation. This vulnerability resides in the application's handling of user-supplied input parameters within specific php scripts, creating a pathway for malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of affected users' browsers. The flaw specifically manifests in three distinct parameter handling scenarios that collectively expose the application to persistent cross-site scripting attacks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding within the PHPEasyData application's directory listing functionality. Attackers can exploit the annuaire parameter in two separate scripts - last_records.php and annuaire.php - to inject malicious payloads that will be executed when other users view the affected pages. Additionally, the by and cat_id parameters in annuaire.php present further attack vectors, allowing for sophisticated cross-site scripting exploitation techniques. These parameters are processed without proper sanitization, enabling attackers to inject HTML tags, javascript code, or other malicious content that gets rendered in the victim's browser session.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with the capability to perform session hijacking, deface web applications, steal sensitive user information, and potentially escalate privileges within the application's context. Users who view compromised pages become unwitting participants in the attack, with their browser sessions potentially compromised through cookie theft, credential harvesting, or redirection to malicious sites. The vulnerability affects the application's core directory and search functionality, making it particularly dangerous as it targets features likely to be frequently accessed by users, thereby maximizing the attack surface and potential impact.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate input validation and output encoding implementations across all user-supplied parameters. The recommended approach involves implementing strict parameter validation using whitelisting techniques, sanitizing all input through proper encoding mechanisms, and applying context-specific output escaping before rendering any user-provided content. Organizations should also consider implementing content security policies, input length restrictions, and regular security code reviews to prevent similar vulnerabilities. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and represents a classic example of how insufficient input validation can lead to persistent security weaknesses. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059.007 for scripting and T1566 for phishing, as it enables attackers to deliver malicious payloads through web-based attack vectors that can be leveraged for broader network infiltration.