CVE-2008-3202 in Xomol
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in index.php in Xomol CMS 1.2 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the current_url parameter in a tellafriend action. 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 • 12/20/2025
The CVE-2008-3202 vulnerability represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the Xomol CMS 1.2 content management system, specifically affecting the index.php script during tellafriend functionality. This vulnerability classifies under CWE-79 which defines improper neutralization of input during web page generation, making it a fundamental web application security weakness that has plagued countless systems since the early days of web development. The vulnerability manifests when the application fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input, particularly the current_url parameter, which is processed within the tellafriend action without adequate validation or encoding mechanisms.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when a remote attacker crafts malicious input containing embedded scripts or HTML code within the current_url parameter of the tellafriend function. When the vulnerable CMS processes this input and incorporates it directly into the generated web page without proper sanitization, the malicious content executes in the context of other users' browsers who view the affected page. This creates a persistent threat vector where attackers can inject JavaScript code, HTML payloads, or even malicious links that can harvest session cookies, redirect users to phishing sites, or perform unauthorized actions on behalf of victims. The vulnerability specifically targets the tellafriend functionality, which typically allows users to share content with others, making it a particularly insidious attack vector since users may be tricked into clicking on seemingly legitimate sharing links.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as it enables attackers to establish persistent footholds within the victim organization's web infrastructure. From an adversary perspective, this vulnerability maps to several ATT&CK techniques including T1566 for social engineering and T1059 for command and script injection. The vulnerability's exploitation can lead to session hijacking, credential theft, and potentially full system compromise if the CMS administrators are authenticated users. The attack surface is particularly concerning because the tellafriend functionality is often used by legitimate users, making the attack more believable and harder to detect. Organizations using Xomol CMS 1.2 may face reputational damage, regulatory compliance issues, and potential legal consequences if user data is compromised through this vector.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-3202 should focus on immediate input validation and output encoding practices that align with established security frameworks. The most effective remediation involves implementing proper parameter validation and sanitization for all user-supplied inputs, particularly those used in dynamic web page generation. This includes applying HTML encoding to all output that incorporates user data, implementing Content Security Policy headers, and utilizing secure coding practices that prevent direct insertion of user input into web pages. Organizations should also consider upgrading to supported versions of Xomol CMS, as this vulnerability likely exists in other CMS versions and represents a known weakness that has been addressed in modern releases. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and regular security testing can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts, while comprehensive security awareness training for administrators can reduce the risk of successful social engineering attacks that leverage this vulnerability.