CVE-2008-4663 in Ks Cgi Access Log
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in analysis.cgi 1.44, as used in K s CGI Access Log Kaiseki (1) jcode.pl and (2) Jcode.pm, allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/29/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-4663 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the analysis.cgi script version 1.44, which is part of the K s CGI Access Log Kaiseki tool suite. This particular implementation utilizes jcode.pl and Jcode.pm modules for character encoding handling, creating a potential attack surface that could be exploited by remote threat actors. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the web application's processing of user-supplied data, specifically when handling log analysis requests through the CGI interface.
The technical exploitation of this XSS vulnerability occurs through unspecified vectors that likely involve the manipulation of input parameters or log data that flows through the analysis.cgi script. When user-provided data is not properly sanitized before being rendered in web responses, malicious actors can inject arbitrary HTML or JavaScript code that executes in the context of other users' browsers. This flaw falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is classified as a critical weakness in web application security. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects the log analysis functionality, meaning that attackers could potentially inject malicious code into log files that would then be executed when other users view the analysis reports.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as it can enable more sophisticated attacks such as session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites. When security professionals or system administrators access log analysis reports through the vulnerable application, they become potential victims of the injected malicious code. The attack surface is particularly dangerous in environments where log analysis tools are used for security monitoring, as the vulnerability could be exploited to compromise the very tools used to detect and prevent security incidents. This creates a dangerous feedback loop where the security monitoring infrastructure becomes a vector for attacks rather than a protective mechanism.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-4663 should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application stack. The most effective approach involves sanitizing all user-supplied input before processing and ensuring that any data rendered in web responses is properly escaped or encoded according to the context in which it appears. Organizations should implement proper character encoding handling that prevents the injection of malicious code through the jcode.pl and Jcode.pm modules. Additionally, the vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566, which covers social engineering via malicious content delivery, making it essential to establish robust content validation and security monitoring practices. Security updates or patches for the affected software components should be prioritized, and the application should be configured to use secure coding practices that prevent the execution of untrusted input as executable code. Regular security assessments should verify that all input handling mechanisms properly sanitize data and that the log analysis functionality does not inadvertently create execution contexts for malicious payloads.