CVE-2008-5807 in TestLink
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in TestLink before 1.8 RC1 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via (1) Testproject Names and (2) Testplan Names in planEdit.php, and possibly (3) Testcaseprefixes in projectview.tpl.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/23/2018
The CVE-2008-5807 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in the TestLink test management system prior to version 1.8 RC1. This vulnerability affects the core functionality of the application by allowing remote attackers to inject malicious web scripts or HTML code into the system through carefully crafted input fields. The vulnerability specifically targets three distinct input points within the TestLink interface, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited across multiple attack vectors. The flaw resides in the application's insufficient input validation and output sanitization mechanisms, which fail to properly escape or filter user-supplied data before rendering it within web pages.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of Testproject Names and Testplan Names parameters within the planEdit.php script, where attackers can inject malicious payloads that will execute in the context of other users' browsers. Additionally, the vulnerability extends to Testcaseprefixes within the projectview.tpl template file, indicating that the insecure input handling affects multiple layers of the application's user interface. This multi-vector approach increases the attack surface and makes the vulnerability more difficult to detect and mitigate completely. The flaw directly maps to CWE-79, which defines Cross-Site Scripting vulnerabilities as the improper handling of untrusted data in web applications. The vulnerability's impact is particularly severe because TestLink is commonly used in software development environments where users may have elevated privileges or access to sensitive project data.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-5807 extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to perform session hijacking, steal user credentials, redirect victims to malicious websites, or even execute arbitrary commands on affected systems. When combined with other exploitation techniques, this vulnerability can serve as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks within the network. The presence of XSS vulnerabilities in test management systems is particularly concerning because these applications often handle sensitive project information, test results, and development data that could be compromised through successful exploitation. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability falls under the T1059.007 technique for Command and Scripting Interpreter, specifically targeting web-based scripting environments. The attack vector leverages the web application's trust in user input without proper validation, making it difficult for traditional network-based security controls to detect the malicious activity.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-5807 require immediate patching of the TestLink application to version 1.8 RC1 or later, which contains the necessary input sanitization fixes. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation at multiple layers of the application architecture, including server-side validation of all user-supplied data before processing. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide additional protection against script execution, while proper output encoding should be enforced for all dynamic content rendered in web pages. Regular security testing including automated vulnerability scanning and manual penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar issues in other application components. Security teams should also consider implementing web application firewalls to monitor and filter suspicious requests targeting known vulnerable parameters. The vulnerability highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to OWASP Top Ten security guidelines, particularly focusing on input validation and output encoding to prevent injection attacks. Organizations using legacy TestLink versions should prioritize upgrading to supported releases and implementing additional monitoring controls to detect potential exploitation attempts.