CVE-2008-5566 in Phpmultiplenewsletters
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in index.php in Triangle Solutions PHP Multiple Newsletters 2.7 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the PATH_INFO.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/18/2024
The CVE-2008-5566 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in the Triangle Solutions PHP Multiple Newsletters version 2.7 application. This security weakness resides within the index.php file and specifically exploits the application's handling of PATH_INFO parameters, creating a significant vector for malicious code injection. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly process user-supplied data passed through the PATH_INFO server variable.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when remote attackers manipulate the PATH_INFO parameter to inject malicious scripts or HTML content into the application's response. The flaw demonstrates a classic XSS vulnerability pattern where user-controllable input flows directly into the web page output without proper encoding or validation. This allows attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript code within the context of a victim's browser session, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or further exploitation of the compromised user's privileges.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability enables attackers to compromise user sessions and potentially gain unauthorized access to sensitive information or perform actions on behalf of legitimate users. The attack vector through PATH_INFO makes this particularly concerning as it can be exploited through various means including crafted URLs, malicious links in emails, or through social engineering techniques that诱导 users to click on infected web addresses. The vulnerability affects the entire user base of the affected newsletter system, making it a significant security risk for organizations relying on this software for email communications.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which categorizes cross-site scripting flaws as a fundamental web application security weakness. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1566 - Phishing and T1059 - Command and Scripting Interpreter, representing both initial access vectors and execution methods. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation mechanisms, proper output encoding for all user-controllable data, and consider implementing Content Security Policy headers as additional protective measures. The recommended mitigation includes immediate patching of the affected software version, input sanitization of PATH_INFO parameters, and regular security assessments of web applications to identify similar vulnerabilities in the codebase.