CVE-2008-5893 in Click
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in admin_dblayers.asp in ClickAndEmail allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the tablename parameter in an update action.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/18/2024
The CVE-2008-5893 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in the ClickAndEmail web application's administrative interface. This vulnerability specifically affects the admin_dblayers.asp component, which handles database layer management operations within the application's backend administration system. The flaw manifests when the application fails to properly validate or sanitize user input received through the tablename parameter during update actions, creating an avenue for malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of authenticated admin sessions.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of the tablename parameter in update operations, which are typically used to modify database table structures or properties within the ClickAndEmail system. When an administrator processes an update action with a maliciously crafted tablename value containing script tags or HTML code, the application renders this input without adequate sanitization, allowing the injected code to execute in the browser of any user who views the affected page. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, specifically representing a stored XSS variant where the malicious payload persists in the application's database and executes whenever the affected page is accessed.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it provides attackers with the ability to escalate privileges and potentially compromise the entire administrative interface. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can execute malicious scripts that may steal session cookies, redirect users to phishing sites, modify administrative settings, or even gain complete control over the ClickAndEmail application's backend. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in environments where administrative access is limited to trusted users, as the attacker can leverage this flaw to impersonate administrators and perform unauthorized actions. This represents a significant risk to data integrity and system security, especially considering that the vulnerability affects the core administrative functionality of the application.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including input validation and output encoding for all user-supplied data, particularly within administrative interfaces. The recommended approach involves sanitizing all parameters received through the tablename field and implementing proper HTML encoding before rendering any user input in web pages. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution and employ web application firewalls to detect and block malicious payloads. From a defensive perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1566.001 for Phishing, as attackers can leverage this flaw to establish persistent access and execute malicious commands through the compromised administrative interface. Regular security assessments and input validation testing should be conducted to prevent similar vulnerabilities in other components of the application, as this flaw demonstrates the critical importance of proper sanitization of all user-supplied data in web applications.