CVE-2008-5214 in ClanLite
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in service/calendrier.php in ClanLite 2.2006.05.20 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the annee parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/21/2024
The CVE-2008-5214 vulnerability represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the ClanLite 2.2006.05.20 web application, specifically targeting the service/calendrier.php script. This vulnerability resides in the application's handling of user-supplied input through the annee parameter, which is typically used to filter calendar events by year. The flaw allows remote attackers to inject malicious web scripts or HTML code directly into the application's response, creating a persistent XSS vector that can be exploited across multiple user sessions. The vulnerability's presence in a calendar service component suggests it may have been leveraged to manipulate calendar displays or execute unauthorized actions within the context of users' browsers.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious URL containing script code within the annee parameter value. When the vulnerable application processes this input without proper sanitization or output encoding, the injected payload becomes part of the HTML response sent to the victim's browser. This allows the malicious script to execute in the context of the victim's session, potentially enabling session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which defines the weakness of cross-site scripting, specifically categorizing it as a failure to sanitize user input before incorporating it into dynamically generated web content. The attack vector operates through the standard HTTP GET request mechanism, making it particularly difficult to detect and prevent without proper input validation.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-5214 extends beyond simple script injection, as it can facilitate more sophisticated attacks within the web application's security context. An attacker could potentially leverage this vulnerability to steal session cookies, modify calendar entries, or redirect users to phishing sites that appear legitimate within the ClanLite application interface. The vulnerability's exploitation capability is further enhanced by the fact that it affects a calendar service component, which may be accessed by multiple users, amplifying the potential damage. This type of vulnerability is particularly concerning in web applications where users trust the displayed content, as the injected scripts can execute with the privileges of authenticated users, potentially leading to complete account compromise or data manipulation. The attack follows patterns consistent with ATT&CK technique T1566, which involves the exploitation of web applications through input validation flaws to execute malicious code in the victim's browser context.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-5214 should focus on implementing robust input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the ClanLite application. The most effective immediate fix involves sanitizing all user-supplied input, particularly the annee parameter, by removing or encoding potentially dangerous characters such as angle brackets, quotes, and script tags. Applications should implement proper HTML encoding of all dynamic content before rendering it in web pages, ensuring that any user-provided data cannot be interpreted as executable script code. Additionally, developers should consider implementing Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution capabilities and prevent unauthorized code injection. The vulnerability underscores the importance of secure coding practices and input validation, as recommended by OWASP Top Ten and other security standards that emphasize the need for proper sanitization of all user inputs. Organizations should also implement regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning to identify similar issues in legacy web applications that may not have received proper security updates or patches.