CVE-2008-3572 in Pligg
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in index.php in Pligg 9.9.5 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the category parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/01/2026
This cross-site scripting vulnerability exists within the Pligg content management system version 9.9.5, specifically in the index.php file where the category parameter is not properly sanitized or validated. The flaw represents a classic persistent XSS attack vector that allows remote attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms that fail to properly escape or filter user-supplied data before incorporating it into dynamic web content.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the application processes the category parameter without adequate sanitization measures, permitting attackers to embed malicious JavaScript code or HTML elements within the parameter value. When other users navigate to pages that utilize this unsanitized input, their browsers execute the injected scripts within the context of the vulnerable application. This creates a persistent threat where malicious code can manipulate user sessions, steal cookies, redirect traffic, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to both end-users and system administrators. Attackers can exploit this flaw to hijack user sessions, capture sensitive information such as authentication tokens or personal data, and potentially escalate privileges within the application. The impact extends beyond individual user compromise to potential widespread data exposure across the entire Pligg installation. Security frameworks like CWE-79 categorize this as a classic cross-site scripting vulnerability, while ATT&CK framework references this under T1566 for initial access through web applications.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application. All user-supplied parameters must undergo strict sanitization using established security libraries and frameworks that properly escape HTML entities before rendering dynamic content. The recommended approach includes implementing Content Security Policy headers, utilizing proper parameterized queries for database interactions, and conducting thorough input validation at multiple layers of the application architecture. Additionally, regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the web application stack.