CVE-2008-4424 in GooCMS
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in index.php in Domain Group Network GooCMS 1.02 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the s parameter in a comments action. NOTE: the provenance of this information is unknown; the details are obtained solely from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/30/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-4424 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Domain Group Network GooCMS 1.02 content management system. This security weakness resides in the index.php script and specifically affects the comments functionality when processing user input through the s parameter. The flaw enables remote attackers to execute malicious web scripts or HTML code within the context of other users' browsers, potentially compromising the entire user base that interacts with the vulnerable system. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-79 which defines cross-site scripting as a condition where untrusted data is sent to a web browser without proper validation or sanitization, allowing attackers to inject malicious payloads that execute in the victim's browser context.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious payload and submits it through the s parameter during a comments action. This parameter likely represents a search or filter string that gets directly incorporated into the page output without adequate input validation or output encoding. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it operates entirely through standard web interactions, requiring no special privileges or complex attack chains. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple script injection as it can be leveraged to steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of users, redirect victims to malicious sites, or even install malware through browser-based attacks. This type of vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK technique T1566 which describes social engineering attacks through malicious content delivery, specifically targeting web application interfaces.
The operational implications of this vulnerability are severe for any organization utilizing GooCMS 1.02, as it creates a persistent security risk that can be exploited by attackers without requiring direct system access or advanced technical skills. Users who engage with the comments functionality become potential victims of the attack, making this a particularly dangerous flaw in a content management system where user interaction is expected. The vulnerability's persistence means that once exploited, it can continue to affect users until the underlying code is patched or the system is updated. Organizations may experience unauthorized access to user sessions, data theft, reputation damage, and potential compliance violations if user data is compromised through this vector. The attack's stealth nature makes detection challenging as malicious scripts can operate in the background without immediate user awareness, potentially allowing attackers to establish long-term presence within the system.
The recommended mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate implementation of input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the application's codebase. Developers should sanitize all user-supplied input through proper validation routines that reject or escape potentially dangerous characters and sequences before processing or displaying them. The system should implement proper output encoding for all dynamic content, particularly when incorporating user input into web page elements. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing Content Security Policy headers to limit the execution of unauthorized scripts and apply the principle of least privilege by restricting the permissions of the web application. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the web application stack, while maintaining up-to-date software versions and applying security patches promptly. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of secure coding practices and input sanitization in web applications, particularly in CMS platforms where user-generated content processing is common.