CVE-2008-3841 in Freeway
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in admin/search_links.php in Freeway eCommerce 1.4.1.171 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the search_link parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/08/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-3841 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Freeway eCommerce platform version 1.4.1.171. This security weakness exists in the administrative search functionality, specifically within the admin/search_links.php script where user input is not properly sanitized or validated. The vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute malicious web scripts or HTML code within the context of other users' browsers who access the compromised administrative interface. This particular flaw demonstrates a classic XSS attack vector where malicious input is processed and rendered without adequate security controls, creating a persistent threat that can affect multiple users within the same administrative session.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding practices within the Freeway eCommerce codebase. When administrators or authorized users navigate to the search_links.php page and submit search queries containing malicious payloads through the search_link parameter, the application fails to properly sanitize these inputs before displaying them in the user interface. This failure to implement proper input sanitization techniques creates an environment where attackers can inject script code that executes in the browser context of legitimate users. The vulnerability is classified as a reflected XSS attack since the malicious script is reflected back to users through the application's response, making it particularly dangerous in administrative contexts where privileged users interact with the system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to perform a range of malicious activities within the compromised administrative environment. An attacker could potentially steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious websites, modify administrative settings, or even escalate privileges within the eCommerce platform. The severity is amplified by the fact that this vulnerability exists in the administrative section of the application, which typically contains sensitive data and control mechanisms. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to customer information, manipulate product catalogs, alter pricing structures, or disable critical system functionalities. This represents a significant threat to both data integrity and system availability within the affected eCommerce infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-3841 should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding measures throughout the application's codebase. The most effective immediate solution involves sanitizing all user inputs, particularly those passed through the search_link parameter, by implementing proper HTML entity encoding before rendering any user-supplied content. Organizations should also implement Content Security Policy headers to prevent unauthorized script execution and establish strict input validation rules that reject potentially malicious content. Additionally, the affected Freeway eCommerce version should be updated to a patched release that addresses this vulnerability, as the original version 1.4.1.171 contains multiple security weaknesses that could be exploited in combination. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and follows patterns commonly referenced in ATT&CK framework under the technique of Web Application Attack Surface Management where adversaries exploit input validation weaknesses to compromise web applications. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the eCommerce platform and ensure comprehensive protection against similar attack vectors.