CVE-2008-4200 in Web Browser
Summary
by MITRE
Opera before 9.52 does not ensure that the address field of a news feed represents the feed s actual URL, which allows remote attackers to change this field to display the URL of a page containing web script controlled by the attacker.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/25/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2008-4200 represents a significant security flaw in Opera web browsers prior to version 9.52, specifically within the handling of news feed address fields. This issue falls under the category of input validation and output sanitization failures, creating a potential vector for cross-site scripting attacks through manipulated feed metadata. The vulnerability stems from the browser's failure to properly validate or sanitize the address field of news feeds, allowing malicious actors to inject arbitrary URLs that could be displayed to users.
The technical flaw manifests when Opera processes news feeds and displays the address field without proper validation of the URL content. Attackers can craft malicious news feeds with manipulated address fields that point to attacker-controlled web pages containing malicious scripts. When users view these feeds in the browser, the displayed URL may appear legitimate while actually directing to a malicious site. This creates a scenario where users might be tricked into visiting harmful content that appears to come from a trusted source within the feed system. The vulnerability directly relates to CWE-79 - Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, which encompasses various forms of cross-site scripting attacks where user-controllable input is improperly handled in web contexts.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple phishing attempts, as it can enable sophisticated attack vectors including credential theft, malware distribution, and social engineering campaigns. Users who regularly consume news feeds through Opera browsers become potential victims of targeted attacks where the feed address field is manipulated to display malicious URLs that appear legitimate. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the application level within the browser's feed handling mechanism, bypassing typical network-level security controls. Attackers can leverage this weakness to create convincing fake feed entries that could be distributed through various channels, including compromised feed servers or malicious feed providers.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-4200 require immediate browser updates to version 9.52 or later, which includes proper validation of feed address fields. Organizations should implement feed filtering mechanisms that validate feed metadata before processing, and users should be educated about the risks of consuming feeds from untrusted sources. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of input validation in web applications, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application, which emphasizes the need for proper validation of external inputs. Additional protective measures include implementing content security policies that restrict script execution from potentially malicious sources, and using web application firewalls to monitor and filter feed-related traffic. The incident underscores the necessity of regular security updates and proper input sanitization practices in preventing such vulnerabilities from being exploited in real-world scenarios.