CVE-2008-5918 in WebSVN
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the getParameterisedSelfUrl function in index.php in WebSVN 2.0 and earlier allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the PATH_INFO.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/08/2024
The CVE-2008-5918 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw discovered in WebSVN version 2.0 and earlier, specifically within the getParameterisedSelfUrl function located in the index.php file. This vulnerability exists due to inadequate input validation and sanitization of user-supplied data that flows through the PATH_INFO server variable. The flaw enables remote attackers to inject malicious web script or HTML code directly into the application's response, creating a persistent vector for exploitation. WebSVN is a web-based interface for viewing subversion repositories, and this vulnerability affects the application's ability to properly handle and sanitize user input from web requests.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the improper handling of PATH_INFO data within the getParameterisedSelfUrl function. When users access WebSVN with specific URL patterns that populate the PATH_INFO variable, the application fails to sanitize this input before incorporating it into the generated HTML response. This creates a classic XSS attack surface where malicious actors can craft URLs containing script tags or other HTML elements that execute in the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the application layer, leveraging the web server's PATH_INFO mechanism to deliver malicious payloads without requiring authentication or privileged access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform session hijacking, defacement of web content, data theft, and further exploitation of the compromised environment. Once an attacker successfully injects malicious code, they can steal user sessions, modify repository views, or redirect users to malicious sites. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-79, which defines Cross-Site Scripting as a weakness where untrusted data is sent to a web browser without proper validation or escaping. The attack vector aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which covers Exploitation for Client Execution, and T1566, which covers Phishing with Social Engineering, as attackers can leverage this vulnerability to deliver malicious payloads through crafted web requests.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-5918 should prioritize immediate application updates to versions that address the input sanitization issue in the getParameterisedSelfUrl function. Organizations should implement proper output encoding and sanitization of all user-supplied data before rendering it in HTML contexts, specifically ensuring that PATH_INFO data is properly escaped before inclusion in web responses. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy headers can provide defense-in-depth protection against XSS attacks, while regular input validation and the principle of least privilege should be enforced in web server configurations. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation and proper sanitization practices as outlined in OWASP Top Ten security guidelines, particularly addressing the need for proper escaping of output data to prevent injection attacks.