CVE-2008-4447 in H-Sphere
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in actions.php in Positive Software H-Sphere WebShell 4.3.10 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via (1) the fn parameter during a dload action, (2) the mask parameter during a search action, and (3) the tab parameter during a sysinfo action.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/05/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-4447 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the H-Sphere WebShell 4.3.10 software developed by Positive Software. This web application framework serves as a control panel for hosting environments, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to compromise web server environments. The vulnerability manifests through three distinct parameter injection points that occur during different operational actions within the web shell interface.
The technical implementation of this XSS vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding within the actions.php script. When attackers manipulate the fn parameter during a dload action, or the mask parameter during a search action, or the tab parameter during a sysinfo action, they can inject malicious JavaScript code or HTML content that gets executed in the context of other users' browsers. This occurs because the application fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input before incorporating it into dynamically generated web pages. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it operates at the application layer without requiring authentication, allowing remote exploitation from any internet-connected client.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risks for organizations utilizing H-Sphere WebShell 4.3.10. An attacker could exploit these parameters to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, deface web pages, or execute arbitrary commands on behalf of authenticated users. The attack surface is broad since the vulnerability affects core functionality including file downloads, search operations, and system information displays. The consequences extend beyond simple data theft to potentially enabling full system compromise through session hijacking or privilege escalation attacks. Organizations with multiple users accessing the web shell could experience widespread impact if attackers successfully exploit these parameters.
Security practitioners should recognize this vulnerability as mapping to CWE-79 - Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, which is a fundamental weakness in web application security. The attack pattern aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 - Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment, as attackers could craft malicious payloads that appear legitimate within the web shell interface. Mitigation strategies include implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms, specifically sanitizing all user-supplied parameters before rendering them in web responses. Organizations should consider deploying web application firewalls, implementing Content Security Policy headers, and conducting regular security assessments of their web applications. The most effective long-term solution involves upgrading to patched versions of H-Sphere WebShell or migrating to more secure alternatives that properly address input validation and output encoding vulnerabilities.