CVE-2008-3714 in awstats
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in awstats.pl in AWStats 6.8 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the query_string, a different vulnerability than CVE-2006-3681 and CVE-2006-1945.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/30/2024
The cross-site scripting vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-3714 affects the AWStats web analytics tool version 6.8, specifically within the awstats.pl script component. This vulnerability represents a significant security flaw that enables remote attackers to execute malicious web scripts or HTML code within the context of affected web applications. The vulnerability manifests through the query_string parameter, which serves as an entry point for malicious input that bypasses normal security controls. Unlike previous vulnerabilities such as CVE-2006-3681 and CVE-2006-1945, this particular flaw demonstrates the evolving nature of web application security threats that require continuous monitoring and updating of security measures. The vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is classified as a critical weakness in web application security that allows attackers to inject client-side scripts into web pages viewed by other users.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the awstats.pl script fails to properly sanitize or validate user input received through the query_string parameter. When users navigate to the affected AWStats interface, the script processes the query_string without adequate input filtering or output encoding, allowing malicious payloads to be executed in the browser context of legitimate users. This flaw creates a persistent threat vector where attackers can craft specially formatted URLs containing malicious scripts that execute whenever the affected AWStats page is accessed. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal privileges and can be accomplished through standard web browser interactions, making it particularly dangerous for organizations relying on AWStats for web analytics and monitoring. The attack surface extends beyond simple script execution to include potential session hijacking, credential theft, and redirection to malicious websites, all of which align with the ATT&CK framework's tactics for client-side attacks and credential access.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-3714 extends beyond immediate script execution to encompass broader security implications for web applications and user data protection. Organizations utilizing AWStats 6.8 may experience unauthorized access to sensitive analytics data, potential compromise of user sessions, and degradation of web application integrity. The vulnerability affects the core functionality of web analytics tools, which are often used for monitoring user behavior, tracking website performance, and gathering business intelligence. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to inject persistent malicious code that executes in the context of authenticated users, potentially enabling them to access restricted analytics data or manipulate reporting features. This type of vulnerability directly impacts the CIA triad by compromising confidentiality through unauthorized data access and integrity through potential data manipulation. The vulnerability's persistence means that once exploited, the malicious code continues to execute until the affected system is patched or the malicious content is manually removed, creating ongoing security risks for organizations that fail to address the issue promptly.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-3714 require immediate implementation of input validation and output encoding measures within the AWStats application. Organizations should upgrade to patched versions of AWStats that address this specific vulnerability, as the original 6.8 version contains known security flaws that have been resolved in subsequent releases. The remediation process involves implementing proper sanitization of all user-supplied input, particularly the query_string parameter, through comprehensive input validation that filters out potentially malicious content. Security measures should include output encoding of all dynamic content displayed in the web interface to prevent script execution in browser contexts. Additionally, organizations should implement web application firewalls and security monitoring systems that can detect and block malicious input patterns associated with XSS attacks. The implementation of content security policies and proper HTTP headers can further reduce the impact of such vulnerabilities by restricting script execution and preventing unauthorized content injection. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other web applications and ensure comprehensive protection against cross-site scripting threats. This vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing robust security practices in web application development and deployment.