CVE-2008-4481 in Redmine
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Redmine 0.7.2 and earlier allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/10/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-4481 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within Redmine version 0.7.2 and earlier releases, exposing systems to remote code execution risks through malicious web script injection. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which specifically addresses the injection of malicious scripts into web applications that are then executed in the context of other users' browsers. The flaw exists in the application's input validation mechanisms, failing to properly sanitize user-supplied data before rendering it within web pages, thereby creating an attack surface where malicious actors can leverage this weakness to compromise user sessions and execute unauthorized commands.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient output encoding and input sanitization within Redmine's web interface components. Attackers can exploit this weakness by submitting malicious payloads through unspecified vectors that ultimately get processed and displayed within the application's user interface without proper security controls. This allows threat actors to inject HTML content or JavaScript code that executes in the browsers of other users who view the affected pages. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple script execution as it can facilitate session hijacking, data theft, and further escalation attacks within the compromised environment.
From an operational perspective, this XSS vulnerability creates significant risks for organizations using vulnerable Redmine installations, particularly those managing sensitive project data, user credentials, or confidential business information. The remote exploitation capability means attackers do not require physical access to the system or insider knowledge to compromise user sessions. This vulnerability directly impacts the integrity and confidentiality of the application's data, potentially allowing unauthorized access to project management information, user accounts, and system resources. The attack surface is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where Redmine serves as a central collaboration platform for development teams and project stakeholders.
Organizations should prioritize immediate remediation through upgrading to Redmine versions that have addressed this vulnerability, specifically targeting releases newer than 0.7.2. The mitigation strategy should include implementing comprehensive input validation, output encoding, and content security policies to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in the future. Security teams should also conduct thorough vulnerability assessments of their Redmine installations and review all custom plugins or modifications that may have introduced additional attack vectors. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under the T1059.007 technique for Scripting, with potential lateral movement opportunities through session hijacking and credential theft, making it a critical priority for security operations teams to address through both immediate patching and long-term security hardening measures.