CVE-2008-5933 in CMS ISWEB
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in index.php in CMS ISWEB 3.0 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via (1) the strcerca parameter (aka the input field for the cerca action) or (2) the id_oggetto parameter. NOTE: some of these details are obtained from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/18/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-5933 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the CMS ISWEB 3.0 content management system, specifically affecting the index.php script. This vulnerability exposes the system to remote code execution through malicious web script injection, creating significant security risks for organizations relying on this platform. The flaw manifests in two distinct attack vectors that exploit input validation weaknesses in the application's parameter handling mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through improper input sanitization of user-supplied data in two specific parameters: strcerca and id_oggetto. The strcerca parameter corresponds to the input field used for the cerca action, while the id_oggetto parameter represents another vulnerable input point within the application's processing logic. Both parameters fail to properly validate or escape user input before incorporating it into dynamic web page content, allowing attackers to inject malicious scripts that execute in the context of other users' browsers. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-79, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws in web applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it enables attackers to potentially steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of users, redirect victims to malicious websites, or even deface the compromised website. The remote nature of the attack means that threat actors can exploit this vulnerability without requiring physical access to the system or local network presence. Attackers can craft malicious URLs containing encoded script payloads that, when executed by unsuspecting users, create persistent security threats. This vulnerability particularly affects web applications following the OWASP Top Ten security risks, specifically categorizing as a high-severity issue under the XSS category.
Organizations utilizing CMS ISWEB 3.0 should implement immediate mitigation strategies including input validation, output encoding, and proper parameter sanitization techniques. The recommended approach involves implementing strict input validation that filters or rejects potentially malicious characters and implementing proper HTML escaping for all dynamic content. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution and reduce the impact of successful XSS attacks. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques related to initial access through web application attacks and privilege escalation via session hijacking. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify similar input validation weaknesses in other components of the web application stack. The remediation process should include updating to patched versions of CMS ISWEB 3.0 or implementing web application firewalls to filter malicious requests before they reach the vulnerable application components.