CVE-2008-5067 in Kmita Catalogue
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in search.php in Kmita Catalogue 2.x allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the q parameter. NOTE: the provenance of this information is unknown; the details are obtained solely from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/30/2025
The CVE-2008-5067 vulnerability represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw in the Kmita Catalogue 2.x web application, specifically within the search.php component. This vulnerability classifies under CWE-79 as a failure to sanitize user input before incorporating it into web pages served to other users. The issue manifests when the application fails to properly validate or escape the q parameter, which is typically used for search queries within the catalogue interface. Attackers can exploit this weakness by submitting malicious script code through the search parameter, which then gets executed in the browsers of other users who view the search results or interact with the affected page.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs because the Kmita Catalogue application does not implement proper input sanitization or output encoding mechanisms for the q parameter. When users enter search terms, the application directly incorporates these inputs into dynamically generated HTML content without adequate protection against script injection. This creates an environment where malicious actors can craft search queries containing javascript payloads or HTML code that executes in the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability exists at the application layer where user-supplied data flows through the system without proper security controls, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or perform actions on behalf of victims.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to compromise user sessions and potentially escalate privileges within the application. Users who access search results containing malicious code may unknowingly have their browser contexts compromised, allowing attackers to perform actions such as modifying catalogue entries, accessing restricted functionality, or harvesting sensitive information from authenticated sessions. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of the application's data and user interactions, potentially enabling persistent threats where attackers can maintain access over extended periods. This type of vulnerability also undermines user trust in the application and can lead to reputational damage for organizations relying on the Kmita Catalogue system.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-5067 should focus on implementing proper input validation and output encoding techniques. The most effective approach involves sanitizing all user inputs through strict validation mechanisms that reject or escape potentially dangerous characters and patterns before processing them. Organizations should implement context-specific output encoding for all dynamic content, ensuring that any user-supplied data is properly escaped before being rendered in HTML contexts. Additionally, the application should enforce a content security policy that restricts script execution and limits the potential impact of successful XSS attacks. Security measures should include regular input validation, proper error handling, and comprehensive testing of all user-facing interfaces to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under the 'Command and Control' and 'Persistence' techniques, as attackers can establish persistent access through XSS vectors to maintain control over compromised user sessions and data. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and regular security assessments to detect and prevent exploitation of such vulnerabilities in their web applications.