CVE-2008-3678 in Freeway
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in admin/search_links.php in Freeway before 1.4.2.197 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the URL.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/04/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-3678 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the Freeway content management system version 1.4.2.197 and earlier. This security weakness resides in the admin/search_links.php component of the application, making it accessible to remote attackers who can exploit it without requiring authentication or privileged access. The vulnerability specifically affects the administrative interface of the system, which creates significant concern given that administrators typically possess elevated privileges and access to sensitive system functions.
The technical implementation of this XSS vulnerability occurs when user-supplied input from the URL parameter is not properly sanitized or validated before being processed and returned to the user's browser. Attackers can craft malicious URLs containing script code that gets executed within the context of other users' browsers who visit the compromised page. This allows for a range of malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, redirection to malicious sites, and potential privilege escalation within the application. The vulnerability maps directly to CWE-79 which defines Cross-Site Scripting as a weakness where untrusted data is sent to a web browser without proper validation or encoding, enabling attackers to inject malicious scripts.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or defacement. An attacker who successfully exploits this flaw can manipulate the administrative interface to perform unauthorized actions, potentially gaining full control over the website's content management system. The attack surface is particularly concerning because it targets the admin section, which typically contains sensitive configuration data, user management capabilities, and content editing functions. This vulnerability can be exploited through various vectors including phishing attacks where users are tricked into clicking malicious links, or through social engineering campaigns that leverage the XSS to establish persistent access.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability involve implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application. The most effective immediate solution requires sanitizing all user inputs before processing them in the search_links.php script, particularly focusing on URL parameters that are passed to the administrative interface. Additionally, implementing proper content security policies can help prevent script execution even if an attacker manages to inject malicious code. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious requests targeting this specific vulnerability. The remediation process should include upgrading to Freeway version 1.4.2.197 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address this XSS weakness. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques such as T1059.007 for scripting and T1566 for social engineering, representing a critical entry point for attackers seeking to establish persistent access and maintain control over compromised systems.