CVE-2008-5056 in TrioLive
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in department_offline_context.php in ActiveCampaign TrioLive before 1.58.7 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the department_id parameter to index.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/14/2018
The CVE-2008-5056 vulnerability represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw in the ActiveCampaign TrioLive web application, specifically within the department_offline_context.php component. This vulnerability exists in versions prior to 1.58.7 and demonstrates a critical weakness in input validation and output encoding practices. The flaw manifests when the application fails to properly sanitize user-supplied data passed through the department_id parameter in the index.php script, creating an avenue for malicious actors to execute arbitrary JavaScript code within the context of legitimate user sessions. The vulnerability classification aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting weaknesses where untrusted data is incorporated into web pages without proper validation or encoding mechanisms.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a straightforward injection attack vector where remote attackers can manipulate the department_id parameter to inject malicious scripts. When the application processes this parameter without adequate sanitization, the injected content gets rendered in subsequent web page responses, allowing attackers to execute scripts in the victim's browser context. This creates a persistent threat where malicious code can steal session cookies, redirect users to fraudulent sites, or perform unauthorized actions on behalf of authenticated users. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that it affects a core application component that handles departmental context management, potentially providing attackers with access to sensitive operational data or system functionality.
The operational implications of this vulnerability extend beyond simple script execution, as it represents a fundamental breakdown in web application security controls that can lead to complete session hijacking and privilege escalation. Attackers can leverage this flaw to establish persistent access to the application, potentially compromising multiple user accounts and gaining unauthorized access to business-critical information. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers do not require physical access to the system or insider knowledge to exploit it, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where multiple users interact with the application. This flaw directly violates security principles outlined in the OWASP Top Ten, specifically addressing the importance of input validation and output encoding to prevent code injection attacks.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application. Organizations should implement strict parameter validation for all user-supplied inputs, particularly those used in dynamic content generation, ensuring that department_id parameters are validated against expected formats and ranges. The application should employ comprehensive output encoding techniques when rendering user data in web contexts, preventing malicious scripts from executing even if injection attempts occur. Additionally, implementing proper content security policies and using security headers can provide additional defense layers against exploitation attempts. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other application components, while comprehensive patch management procedures must be established to ensure timely deployment of security updates. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of following secure coding practices and maintaining up-to-date security controls to protect against persistent threats that can compromise entire web applications.