CVE-2008-3847 in AN Guestbook
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in AN Guestbook (ANG) before 0.7.6 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/25/2017
The CVE-2008-3847 vulnerability represents a critical security flaw in AN Guestbook software versions prior to 0.7.6, specifically manifesting as multiple cross-site scripting vulnerabilities that pose significant risks to web application security. This vulnerability class falls under the well-documented CWE-79 weakness category, which describes improper neutralization of input during web output, making it a prime target for malicious actors seeking to exploit web applications through client-side attacks. The vulnerability enables remote attackers to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML code into the guestbook application, creating a persistent threat vector that can compromise user sessions and data integrity.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output sanitization mechanisms within the AN Guestbook application. Attackers can exploit unspecified vectors to inject malicious code through user input fields, typically guestbook entries or comment sections, which are then executed in the browsers of other users who view the compromised content. This type of vulnerability operates at the intersection of CWE-79 and CWE-80, as it involves both the injection of malicious content and the failure to properly sanitize output before rendering it to end users. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple script execution, as it can be leveraged to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-3847 is substantial for organizations relying on AN Guestbook for user interaction and content management. When exploited, these vulnerabilities can lead to session hijacking, where attackers gain unauthorized access to user accounts and potentially administrative privileges. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that guestbook applications are often used in environments with limited security controls, making them attractive targets for cybercriminals. Additionally, the vulnerability can be exploited to deliver malware through drive-by downloads, create phishing campaigns, or establish persistent backdoors within the affected systems, aligning with tactics described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1059.007 technique for command and scripting interpreter. The long-term implications include potential data breaches, reputation damage, and regulatory compliance violations for organizations that fail to address this vulnerability promptly.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-3847 must focus on immediate remediation through software updates to AN Guestbook version 0.7.6 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the XSS vulnerabilities. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms, ensuring that all user-supplied data is properly sanitized before being processed or displayed. The implementation of Content Security Policy (CSP) headers can provide additional defense-in-depth measures against script injection attacks, while regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other web applications. Security teams should also consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring systems to detect and prevent exploitation attempts, as outlined in the ATT&CK framework's defensive strategies for preventing command and scripting interpreter execution.