CVE-2008-5338 in Bandsite portal system
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in info.php in Bandwebsite (aka Bandsite portal system) 1.5 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the section parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/11/2024
The CVE-2008-5338 vulnerability represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the Bandwebsite content management system version 1.5, specifically affecting the info.php script. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting and demonstrates how improper input validation can create dangerous attack vectors in web applications. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it allows remote attackers to inject malicious code through the section parameter, which is processed without adequate sanitization or encoding mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this flaw occurs when the application fails to properly validate or escape user-supplied input from the section parameter before incorporating it into dynamic web content. When a user submits a request containing malicious script within the section parameter, the application processes this input directly without sanitization, allowing the injected code to execute in the context of other users' browsers. This creates a persistent XSS vulnerability that can be exploited across multiple user sessions, potentially enabling attackers to steal session cookies, deface the website, or redirect users to malicious domains.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as it provides attackers with the capability to establish persistent footholds within the affected web environment. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute malicious scripts that harvest user credentials, perform actions on behalf of authenticated users, or redirect victims to phishing sites. The Bandwebsite system's use of the section parameter for dynamic content generation makes it particularly susceptible to this type of attack, as the parameter likely controls which content sections are displayed or processed. This vulnerability essentially allows attackers to manipulate the application's behavior and potentially compromise the entire user base that interacts with the affected portal.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-5338 should focus on implementing robust input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application. The primary defense involves sanitizing all user-supplied input through proper parameter validation and HTML encoding before any content is rendered to users. Organizations should implement Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution and employ proper input validation routines that reject or sanitize potentially malicious content. Additionally, the application should utilize parameterized queries and proper escaping mechanisms when processing the section parameter to prevent script injection. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of following secure coding practices and implementing defense-in-depth strategies as outlined in the ATT&CK framework's web application security categories, particularly focusing on input validation and output encoding as core defensive measures against XSS attacks.