CVE-2008-4426 in Personal Information Manager
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in events.php in Phlatline s Personal Information Manager (pPIM) 1.0 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the date parameter in a new action.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/03/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-4426 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Phlatline s Personal Information Manager version 1.0, specifically affecting the events.php script. This vulnerability arises from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly process user-supplied data before incorporating it into web responses. The flaw exists within the date parameter handling during the new action, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content into the application's output. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79 as a failure to sanitize input data, which directly enables XSS attacks by allowing attackers to execute malicious code within the context of other users' browsers.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious payload containing script code and submits it through the date parameter in the events.php script. When the application processes this input without proper sanitization, the malicious code becomes embedded within the web page's HTML response and is subsequently executed by unsuspecting users who view the affected page. This type of vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, specifically targeting web applications through client-side code injection. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it leverages the trust relationship between the web application and its users, allowing attackers to potentially steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of users, or redirect them to malicious sites.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable more sophisticated attacks including session hijacking, credential theft, and data exfiltration. An attacker could craft payloads that steal user authentication tokens, redirect victims to phishing sites, or even deploy malware through browser-based attacks. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the personal information management system, potentially compromising sensitive user data stored within the pPIM application. Organizations using this version of pPIM face significant risk of unauthorized access to personal information, as the vulnerability allows attackers to manipulate the application's behavior and potentially gain persistence within the user environment.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms. The application must sanitize all user inputs, particularly those used in dynamic content generation, by implementing strict validation rules and encoding special characters to prevent script execution. Organizations should deploy Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to limit script sources and prevent unauthorized code execution. The recommended approach includes implementing parameterized queries for database interactions, using secure coding practices, and conducting regular security assessments. Additionally, upgrading to a patched version of pPIM or migrating to a more secure personal information management solution is essential. Security measures should also include web application firewalls and regular monitoring for suspicious activities, as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten security practices and the NIST Cybersecurity Framework guidelines for web application security.