CVE-2008-4168 in Stingray FTS
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in verify_login.jsp in Pro2col Stingray FTS allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the form_username parameter (aka user name field).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/03/2017
The CVE-2008-4168 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw discovered in the Pro2col Stingray FTS authentication mechanism. This vulnerability specifically affects the verify_login.jsp component where user credentials are processed during the login procedure. The flaw arises from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the web application's authentication flow, creating an exploitable entry point for malicious actors to inject harmful script code into the application's response. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it targets the fundamental authentication process where user names are submitted through the form_username parameter, making it accessible to any remote attacker who can initiate a login request.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker submits malicious script code through the user name field of the login form. The application fails to properly sanitize or encode the user input before incorporating it into the HTML response, allowing the injected payload to execute in the context of the victim's browser. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting vulnerabilities resulting from inadequate input validation and output encoding. The attack vector is particularly dangerous as it leverages the legitimate authentication flow of the application, making it more difficult to detect and mitigate. The malicious script code can execute with the privileges of the authenticated user, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or further exploitation of the application's functionality.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to manipulate the authentication process and potentially gain unauthorized access to sensitive resources. When an attacker successfully exploits this vulnerability, they can execute arbitrary web scripts that may redirect users to malicious sites, steal session cookies, or even perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of the authentication system, undermining the trust model that users place in the application's security mechanisms. From an attacker's perspective, this vulnerability provides a low-hanging fruit opportunity to escalate privileges or conduct further reconnaissance within the application's environment, as the attack requires minimal technical expertise and can be automated.
Organizations utilizing Pro2col Stingray FTS should implement immediate mitigations to address this vulnerability, including input validation, output encoding, and proper parameter sanitization within the authentication flow. The recommended approach involves implementing strict input validation that rejects or sanitizes potentially malicious characters before processing user inputs, combined with proper HTML encoding of all dynamic content before rendering it in web responses. Additionally, implementing a Content Security Policy (CSP) header can provide an additional layer of protection against XSS attacks by restricting the sources from which scripts can be loaded. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 which describes the exploitation of web application vulnerabilities for initial access and privilege escalation. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and regular security scanning to detect similar vulnerabilities in other components of their authentication infrastructure.