CVE-2008-3739 in La Cooda Wiz
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in (1) System Consultants La!Cooda WIZ 1.4.0 and earlier and (2) SpaceTag LacoodaST 2.1.3 and earlier allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors, possibly involving upload of files containing XSS sequences.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/30/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-3739 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting two distinct web applications: System Consultants La!Cooda WIZ version 1.4.0 and earlier, and SpaceTag LacoodaST version 2.1.3 and earlier. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is classified as a fundamental web application security weakness that allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users. The flaw specifically manifests when these applications fail to properly sanitize user input during file upload processes, creating an avenue for remote attackers to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of affected user sessions.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through unspecified vectors that primarily involve file upload mechanisms containing embedded XSS sequences. Attackers can craft malicious files with script payloads that, when processed by the vulnerable applications, get executed in the browsers of unsuspecting users who subsequently access the uploaded content. This type of attack leverages the trust relationship between the web application and its users, allowing malicious code to run in the victim's browser with the privileges of the target user. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that it operates at the application layer, making it particularly dangerous as it can bypass traditional network-level security controls and directly compromise user sessions and data integrity.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-3739 extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform session hijacking, steal sensitive user information, manipulate application data, and potentially establish persistent backdoors within the affected systems. The vulnerability's presence in both La!Cooda WIZ and LacoodaST applications creates a widespread risk for organizations utilizing these platforms, particularly in environments where user-generated content is permitted. The attack surface is further expanded by the nature of file upload functionality, which is commonly used in web applications for legitimate purposes but becomes a security risk when proper input validation and sanitization are not implemented. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for credential access through spearphishing attachments, and T1584.004 for establishing persistence through malicious file uploads.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the affected applications. Organizations should immediately patch or upgrade to versions that address the XSS flaw, while also implementing strict file upload restrictions that validate file types, sanitize content, and employ proper encoding for all user-supplied data. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers, proper HTML escaping, and input validation at multiple layers of the application architecture are essential defensive measures. Additionally, security monitoring should be enhanced to detect suspicious upload activities and anomalous script execution patterns. Regular security assessments and code reviews focusing on input handling and sanitization practices are crucial for preventing similar vulnerabilities in future development cycles. The vulnerability underscores the critical importance of following secure coding practices and implementing defense-in-depth strategies that protect against various attack vectors while maintaining application functionality and user experience.