CVE-2008-4898 in RateMe
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in planetluc RateMe 1.3.3 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the rate parameter in a submit rate action.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/13/2018
The CVE-2008-4898 vulnerability represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw in the planetluc RateMe 1.3.3 web application, demonstrating how insufficient input validation can lead to severe security consequences. This vulnerability specifically affects the rating submission functionality where user input is not properly sanitized before being processed and displayed back to other users. The flaw exists in the rate parameter handling within the submit rate action, creating an environment where malicious actors can execute arbitrary scripts in the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which categorizes improper neutralization of input during web page generation, making it a fundamental web application security issue that has plagued numerous systems throughout the years.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious payload containing script code within the rate parameter of the rating submission endpoint. When the vulnerable application processes this input without proper sanitization or encoding, the malicious script gets stored and subsequently executed whenever other users view the rating or when the page containing the rating is rendered. This creates a persistent XSS vector that can be used to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and requires no special privileges or access to the underlying system, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited through standard web browser interactions.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-4898 extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable more sophisticated attack patterns that align with the tactics described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the 'Command and Control' and 'Credential Access' domains. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access through session hijacking, steal user credentials, or redirect victims to phishing sites that appear legitimate. The vulnerability affects any user who interacts with the rating system, potentially compromising all users who view pages containing malicious ratings. The impact is particularly severe in environments where the application handles sensitive user data or where users have elevated privileges, as the attacker could potentially escalate their access level through the execution of malicious scripts that manipulate browser behavior and capture authentication tokens.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address the core issue of input sanitization and output encoding as recommended by OWASP and other security frameworks. The most effective approach involves implementing strict input validation that filters or escapes special characters in all user-supplied data before processing, particularly within parameters used in web page generation. Applications should employ context-specific output encoding techniques to ensure that any user-controllable data is properly escaped when rendered in HTML, JavaScript, or other contexts. Additionally, implementing proper Content Security Policy headers can provide an additional layer of protection against script execution. Security headers should be configured to restrict script loading sources and prevent the execution of inline scripts. Regular security code reviews and automated scanning tools should be employed to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components, as this type of flaw frequently appears in web applications that lack comprehensive input validation mechanisms and proper output encoding practices across their codebase.