CVE-2008-6035 in Achievo
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in dispatch.php in Achievo 1.3.2-STABLE allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the atknodetype parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/27/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-6035 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Achievo 1.3.2-STABLE web application framework. This vulnerability specifically affects the dispatch.php script which serves as a central routing mechanism for the application's various functionalities. The issue manifests when the application fails to properly sanitize user input received through the atknodetype parameter, creating an avenue for malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts within the context of authenticated user sessions. The vulnerability resides in the application's input validation mechanisms, where unfiltered parameters are directly incorporated into dynamic web content without adequate sanitization or encoding measures.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows a standard XSS attack pattern where an attacker crafts malicious input containing script tags or other HTML elements within the atknodetype parameter. When the vulnerable dispatch.php script processes this input and renders it within the web page context, the embedded malicious code executes in the victim's browser. This creates a persistent threat vector that can be leveraged for session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites. The vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which categorizes improper neutralization of input during web page generation, specifically targeting the failure to properly encode or validate user-supplied data before incorporating it into web responses. The attack surface is particularly concerning as it operates at the application's core dispatch mechanism, potentially affecting multiple application modules that rely on this routing functionality.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can be weaponized to compromise entire user sessions within the Achievo application environment. Attackers can leverage this flaw to steal session cookies, modify user permissions, or redirect victims to phishing sites that appear legitimate within the application context. The vulnerability's remote nature means that exploitation requires no local access to the system and can be initiated from any location with internet connectivity. This makes it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where Achievo might be used for critical business processes, potentially allowing attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data or administrative controls. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 which describes the use of malicious content to gain initial access or establish persistence within target environments, making it a significant concern for organizations relying on this version of the application.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-6035 should prioritize immediate patching of the Achievo application to version 1.3.3 or later, as this vulnerability was addressed in subsequent releases. Organizations should implement input validation and output encoding mechanisms at the application level, ensuring all user-supplied parameters undergo strict sanitization before being processed or rendered in web responses. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide additional defense-in-depth measures by restricting the sources from which scripts can be executed within the application context. Security teams should also consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious payloads targeting known XSS patterns. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities within the application's codebase, particularly focusing on parameter handling within core routing scripts. Additionally, user education regarding suspicious links and unexpected script execution should be maintained as part of overall security awareness programs to reduce the risk of successful exploitation through social engineering vectors.