CVE-2008-5795 in Eluna Page Comments Extension
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the eluna Page Comments (eluna_pagecomments) extension 1.1.2 and earlier for TYPO3 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/28/2017
The CVE-2008-5795 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the eluna Page Comments extension version 1.1.2 and earlier for the TYPO3 content management system. This vulnerability falls under the broader category of CWE-79 - Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, which specifically addresses the failure to properly sanitize user inputs before incorporating them into web page content. The issue manifests when the extension processes user-generated comments or page data without adequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by remote attackers.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through unspecified vectors that typically involve injection of malicious scripts or HTML code through comment fields or page content inputs. Attackers can craft specially formatted comments or content that, when rendered by the TYPO3 system, executes arbitrary JavaScript code within the context of other users' browsers. This allows for session hijacking, credential theft, defacement of web pages, or redirection to malicious sites. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the presentation layer where user inputs are directly embedded into web pages without proper sanitization, making it a classic example of insecure data handling in web applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data corruption or display issues. Organizations using affected TYPO3 installations with the eluna Page Comments extension face significant risks including unauthorized access to user sessions, potential data breaches, and compromise of the entire web application. The vulnerability can be exploited by attackers who do not require any special privileges or authentication, making it particularly attractive for mass exploitation campaigns. From an attacker perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 - Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment, as attackers can use the XSS to deliver malicious payloads through seemingly legitimate comment sections. The exposure of user sessions and potential privilege escalation capabilities make this vulnerability particularly severe in enterprise environments where TYPO3 is used for critical business operations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-5795 should focus on immediate remediation through updating to the patched version of the eluna Page Comments extension, which would address the input validation deficiencies. Organizations should implement comprehensive input sanitization measures including proper HTML escaping and content security policy enforcement to prevent script execution. The solution should also incorporate regular security assessments of third-party extensions and maintain up-to-date vulnerability scanning procedures. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and proper output encoding practices would provide defense-in-depth measures that align with security best practices outlined in OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity frameworks. Organizations should also consider implementing user input validation at multiple layers and establishing secure coding practices that prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in custom developed components.