CVE-2008-4325 in viewvc
Summary
by MITRE
lib/viewvc.py in ViewVC 1.0.5 uses the content-type parameter in the HTTP request for the Content-Type header in the HTTP response, which allows remote attackers to cause content to be misinterpreted by the browser via a content-type parameter that is inconsistent with the requested object. NOTE: this issue might not be a vulnerability, since it requires attacker access to the repository that is being viewed.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/21/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-4325 resides within the ViewVC 1.0.5 web application, specifically in the lib/viewvc.py module where the application processes HTTP requests and generates corresponding responses. This flaw manifests when the application directly incorporates the content-type parameter from incoming HTTP requests into the Content-Type header of outgoing HTTP responses without proper validation or sanitization. The core technical issue involves a lack of input validation that allows malicious actors to manipulate the response headers, potentially leading to content injection and misinterpretation by web browsers. This behavior creates a scenario where the browser's interpretation of the delivered content becomes inconsistent with the actual content type, opening possibilities for various security implications including cross-site scripting attacks and content sniffing vulnerabilities. The vulnerability operates at the HTTP protocol level where the application fails to maintain proper separation between client-requested parameters and server-generated response headers, creating a direct path for parameter manipulation to affect response characteristics.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple content misinterpretation, as it enables attackers to potentially force browsers into executing content with unintended MIME types. When an attacker can control the content-type parameter through malicious requests, they may cause browsers to render content as HTML, JavaScript, or other executable formats even when the actual content is plain text or binary data. This misinterpretation can lead to cross-site scripting scenarios where scripts embedded in the content are executed in the context of the victim's browser session, or it could enable attackers to bypass security mechanisms that rely on proper content type handling. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the application layer where HTTP response headers are constructed, making it a direct vector for content injection attacks that could be exploited in conjunction with other vulnerabilities or through social engineering techniques. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability maps to CWE-1107, which addresses the issue of improper validation of content-type headers in HTTP responses, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for scripting and T1566.001 for spearphishing with attachments, as it enables content manipulation that could facilitate further exploitation.
The security implications of CVE-2008-4325 are compounded by the fact that the vulnerability requires attacker access to the repository being viewed, which creates a specific threat model where internal or authenticated users pose the greatest risk. However, this access requirement does not eliminate the vulnerability's potential impact, as it can be leveraged in insider threat scenarios or through compromised legitimate accounts. The vulnerability's exploitation potential is enhanced when combined with other attack vectors, such as privilege escalation within the repository system or through session hijacking techniques that could provide the necessary access to manipulate repository content. Organizations using ViewVC 1.0.5 should implement proper input validation and sanitization of all user-supplied parameters before incorporating them into HTTP response headers. The recommended mitigations include implementing strict content-type validation that ensures consistency between requested resources and response headers, implementing proper header sanitization to prevent parameter injection, and conducting regular security assessments to identify similar issues in other components of the web application. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls and content security policies that can detect and prevent unusual content-type manipulations in HTTP responses, while also ensuring that proper access controls and monitoring mechanisms are in place to detect unauthorized access to repository systems. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of proper input validation and the principle of least privilege in web application security design.