CVE-2008-4774 in QuestCMS
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in main/main.php in QuestCMS allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the cx parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/09/2024
The CVE-2008-4774 vulnerability represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the QuestCMS content management system, specifically targeting the main/main.php script. This vulnerability resides in the handling of user-supplied input through the cx parameter, creating an exploitable entry point for malicious actors to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content into the application's response. The flaw demonstrates a fundamental failure in input validation and output sanitization practices that are essential for preventing XSS attacks in web applications.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws in web applications. The cx parameter serves as the attack vector where unfiltered user input gets directly embedded into the web page response without proper sanitization or encoding mechanisms. This allows attackers to craft malicious payloads that execute in the context of other users' browsers when they view the affected page. The vulnerability's classification as a remote attack means that no local access or authentication is required to exploit the flaw, making it particularly dangerous in publicly accessible web environments.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates significant security risks for organizations using QuestCMS, as it enables attackers to potentially steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of users, or redirect victims to malicious websites. The attack surface extends beyond simple script execution to include potential data exfiltration and user impersonation. The remote nature of the exploitation means that attackers can leverage this vulnerability from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access to the target system or network. This makes the vulnerability particularly attractive to threat actors seeking to compromise web applications at scale.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-4774 should focus on implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application. The recommended approach involves sanitizing all user-supplied input through strict validation processes and encoding output data before rendering it in web pages. Organizations should implement Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution and utilize framework-level XSS protection mechanisms. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1203 - Exploitation for Client Execution, highlighting the need for comprehensive application security measures including regular code reviews, security testing, and maintaining up-to-date software versions. Additionally, implementing proper parameter validation and using secure coding practices that prevent direct injection of user input into web responses would effectively neutralize this vulnerability. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other application components that may present analogous risks.