CVE-2008-3569 in XAMPP
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in XAMPP 1.6.7, when register_globals is enabled, allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the text parameter to (1) iart.php and (2) ming.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/04/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-3569 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting XAMPP 1.6.7 installations where the register_globals PHP configuration setting is enabled. This vulnerability manifests in two distinct attack vectors through the iart.php and ming.php scripts, creating a significant security risk for web applications hosted on affected systems. The flaw exploits the insecure handling of user input parameters, specifically the text parameter, which allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content into the application's response. The vulnerability's severity is amplified by the combination of the XAMPP environment and the register_globals configuration, which creates an environment where user-supplied data can be directly incorporated into global variables without proper sanitization.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker submits malicious input through the text parameter to either iart.php or ming.php scripts. When register_globals is enabled, PHP automatically creates global variables from GET, POST, and COOKIE data, eliminating the need for explicit variable declaration. This configuration creates a dangerous scenario where user input flows directly into the application's output without proper validation or encoding. The vulnerability falls under CWE-79 - Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, which specifically addresses the failure to properly sanitize user input before incorporating it into web page content. This weakness allows attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of the victim's browser, potentially leading to session hijacking, data theft, or further exploitation of the compromised system.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-3569 extends beyond simple script injection, as it provides attackers with a foothold for more sophisticated attacks within the web application environment. When an attacker successfully exploits this vulnerability, they can execute arbitrary JavaScript code in the victim's browser, potentially stealing session cookies, redirecting users to malicious sites, or performing actions on behalf of authenticated users. The attack surface is particularly concerning in XAMPP environments which are commonly used for development and testing purposes, often running on systems that may not be properly secured or monitored. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 - Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment, as attackers can craft malicious payloads that appear legitimate but contain XSS payloads designed to exploit this specific vulnerability. The impact is further compounded by the fact that XAMPP installations are often found in development environments where security controls may be less stringent than in production systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-3569 require immediate action to address the root cause of the vulnerability. The most effective immediate fix involves disabling the register_globals PHP configuration setting, which eliminates the automatic creation of global variables from user input. Additionally, proper input validation and output encoding should be implemented in the affected scripts to ensure that any user-supplied data is properly sanitized before being processed or displayed. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide an additional layer of defense against XSS attacks by restricting the sources from which scripts can be loaded. Organizations should also consider implementing proper web application firewall rules to detect and block suspicious input patterns targeting these specific endpoints. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to the principle of least privilege in web application development, as outlined in OWASP Top Ten security recommendations. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications and scripts that may be susceptible to similar input handling flaws.