CVE-2008-5842 in WebTransactions
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in Fujitsu-Siemens WebTransactions 7.0, 7.1, and possibly other versions allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via vectors associated with (1) a demo application shipped with WebTransactions and possibly (2) an unspecified "dynamic application."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/23/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-5842 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting Fujitsu-Siemens WebTransactions versions 7.0 and 7.1, with potential impacts extending to other releases in the product line. This vulnerability exposes the system to remote code execution through malicious web script injection, fundamentally compromising the security posture of web applications relying on this platform. The flaw manifests within the demo application bundled with WebTransactions and potentially extends to unspecified dynamic applications, creating multiple attack vectors for malicious actors. The vulnerability classification aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting weaknesses in web applications, where insufficient input validation allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the injection of arbitrary web script or HTML content into the application's response handling mechanisms. Attackers can leverage this weakness by crafting malicious input that bypasses security controls in the demo application and potentially dynamic application components. The vulnerability exists due to inadequate sanitization of user-supplied data within the WebTransactions framework, allowing attackers to execute scripts in the context of the victim's browser session. This creates a persistent threat where malicious code can be executed in the victim's browser, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or other malicious activities. The attack surface expands when considering that the vulnerability affects not just the demo application but also unspecified dynamic applications, indicating a fundamental flaw in the input handling architecture of the WebTransactions platform.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-5842 extends beyond simple script injection, creating potential pathways for more sophisticated attacks within the web application environment. Organizations utilizing affected WebTransactions versions face risks including unauthorized access to sensitive data, session manipulation, and potential complete compromise of web application security. The vulnerability enables attackers to execute arbitrary code in the context of the victim's browser, which could lead to data exfiltration, privilege escalation, or redirection to malicious sites. The presence of this vulnerability in both demo and dynamic applications suggests a systemic weakness in the platform's security architecture, potentially affecting all applications built on or integrated with the vulnerable WebTransactions framework. This represents a significant concern for enterprise environments where web applications handle sensitive business data or user credentials, as the attack vector can be exploited remotely without requiring authentication.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-5842 should prioritize immediate patch application from Fujitsu-Siemens, as this vulnerability represents a critical security risk that can be exploited by remote attackers. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms to prevent script injection attacks, ensuring that all user-supplied data is properly sanitized before processing. Network segmentation and web application firewalls can provide additional layers of protection while patches are deployed, though these measures should not be considered permanent solutions. Security monitoring should focus on detecting anomalous script injection patterns and unusual user behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's classification under CWE-79 emphasizes the need for robust application-level defenses including proper HTML encoding, content security policies, and input validation controls that align with industry best practices. Organizations should also conduct thorough security assessments of all applications built on the WebTransactions platform to identify potential additional vulnerabilities that may have been introduced by the same architectural weaknesses. According to ATT&CK framework category T1059, this vulnerability enables command and control operations through script injection techniques that align with lateral movement and privilege escalation tactics.