CVE-2008-5854 in Login Session
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in login.php in myPHPscripts Login Session 2.0 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) ls_user and (2) ls_email parameters (aka the User form) in an ls_register action. NOTE: some of these details are obtained from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/20/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-5854 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the myPHPscripts Login Session 2.0 application, specifically affecting the login.php script. This security weakness falls under the category of input validation failures that permit malicious actors to inject harmful code into web applications. The vulnerability manifests when the application fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input parameters, creating an avenue for attackers to execute unauthorized scripts within the context of legitimate user sessions. The affected parameters ls_user and ls_email, which are part of the User form during an ls_register action, demonstrate how insufficient data validation can compromise the entire authentication system.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of HTTP request parameters where attackers can inject malicious JavaScript code or HTML content directly into the ls_user and ls_email fields. When these parameters are processed by the vulnerable login.php script without proper sanitization or encoding, the injected code becomes executable within the browser context of any user who views the affected page or interacts with the compromised session data. This flaw operates at the application layer and leverages the trust relationship between the web application and its users, allowing attackers to bypass normal security restrictions. The vulnerability is classified as a reflected XSS attack since the malicious payload is reflected back to the user through the application's response, making it particularly dangerous for session management systems.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-5854 extends beyond simple data theft, as it can enable attackers to hijack user sessions, steal authentication credentials, and potentially gain unauthorized access to sensitive user accounts. Given that this vulnerability affects a login session management system, successful exploitation could lead to full account compromise and unauthorized access to protected resources. The consequences include potential data breaches, identity theft, and the ability for attackers to impersonate legitimate users within the application environment. This vulnerability directly violates security principles outlined in the OWASP Top Ten, specifically targeting the "Injection" and "Session Management" categories, while also aligning with CWE-79 which defines Cross-Site Scripting vulnerabilities. The attack surface is particularly concerning in web applications where session management is critical for maintaining user authentication states and protecting sensitive information.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the application code. The most effective remediation involves sanitizing all user-supplied input parameters through strict validation processes that reject or escape potentially malicious content before processing. Developers should implement proper HTML encoding for all output data to prevent script execution in browser contexts. The solution aligns with security best practices established in the OWASP Application Security Verification Standard and follows the ATT&CK framework's mitigation recommendations for web application vulnerabilities. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy headers and regular security code reviews can provide additional defense layers. Organizations should also consider upgrading to patched versions of the myPHPscripts Login Session 2.0 or migrating to more secure authentication systems that properly handle user input validation. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input sanitization in session management components and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing throughout the software development lifecycle.