CVE-2008-3735 in PHPizabi
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in index.php in PHPizabi before 848 Core HotFix Pack 3 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the query parameter in a blogs.search action.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/07/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-3735 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the PHPizabi content management system, specifically affecting versions prior to 848 Core HotFix Pack 3. This issue resides in the index.php file and manifests during the blogs.search action when processing the query parameter. The flaw enables remote attackers to execute malicious web scripts or HTML code within the context of other users' browsers, creating a significant security risk for websites utilizing this platform. The vulnerability classifies under CWE-79 as a failure to sanitize or escape user input, specifically targeting web applications that do not properly validate or encode data received from external sources.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of the query parameter during blog search operations, where user-supplied input flows directly into the application's output without proper sanitization mechanisms. Attackers can craft malicious payloads that, when executed, can steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. The attack vector specifically targets the blogs.search functionality, indicating that the vulnerability is not limited to general application input but is particularly dangerous within the context of blog search operations where users might expect to see filtered content. This represents a failure in the application's input validation and output encoding processes, which should have been implemented according to established security practices.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to compromise user sessions and potentially escalate privileges within the application. Users who browse to search results containing malicious scripts may unknowingly have their browser execute harmful code, leading to data theft, account takeover, or further exploitation of the web application. The vulnerability affects the integrity of the user experience and can be leveraged for phishing attacks, as the malicious scripts can manipulate the displayed content to appear legitimate to users. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous in content management systems where users may have varying levels of access and where the application serves as a central hub for user interactions and content management.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-3735 should prioritize immediate patching of the affected PHPizabi installations to version 848 Core HotFix Pack 3 or later, as this represents the most effective solution to address the root cause of the vulnerability. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and output encoding techniques can serve as defensive measures, ensuring that all user-supplied data is properly sanitized before being processed or displayed. Organizations should also consider implementing content security policies and using web application firewalls to detect and prevent exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 which involves the exploitation of web application vulnerabilities for initial access, and T1059 which covers the execution of malicious code through web scripting. Regular security assessments and input validation testing should be conducted to prevent similar issues from emerging in other parts of the application architecture.