CVE-2008-6097 in WikyBlog
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in WikyBlog before 1.7.1 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) key parameter to index.php/Special/Main/keywordSearch, (2) revNum parameter to index.php/Edit/Main/Home, (3) to parameter to index.php/Special/Main/WhatLinksHere, (4) user parameter to index.php/Special/Main/UserEdits, and (5) the PATH_INFO to index.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/28/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2008-6097 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting WikyBlog versions prior to 1.7.1. This issue stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the web application's parameter handling processes. The vulnerability manifests across multiple endpoints within the application's URL structure, specifically targeting parameters that are processed through the main index.php script with various special functions and navigation paths.
The technical flaw exploits the application's failure to properly sanitize user-supplied input data before rendering it within web pages. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability by injecting malicious JavaScript code or HTML content through several identified parameters including key, revNum, to, user, and PATH_INFO. The vulnerability operates at the application layer where user input flows directly into the web response without appropriate encoding or filtering mechanisms. This allows attackers to execute arbitrary scripts in the context of other users' browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or data manipulation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it enables attackers to manipulate the application's behavior and compromise user sessions. When users visit pages containing malicious payloads, their browsers execute the injected code, which can redirect them to malicious sites, steal cookies and session tokens, or even modify content within the application. The vulnerability affects multiple functional areas of WikyBlog including keyword searches, revision history viewing, link tracking, and user editing features, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited across various user interactions. The PATH_INFO parameter vulnerability is especially concerning as it can be leveraged through URL manipulation techniques that bypass traditional input validation checks.
The security implications of this vulnerability align with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications. This weakness creates an attack surface that can be exploited by malicious actors to perform unauthorized actions on behalf of legitimate users. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation practices that violate fundamental web security principles and can be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for script injection attacks. Organizations using affected versions of WikyBlog face significant risk of unauthorized access and data compromise, particularly in environments where users may not be security-aware and could inadvertently trigger the malicious payloads.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of the WikyBlog application to version 1.7.1 or later, which contains the necessary input sanitization fixes. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms at all application entry points can prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in the future. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and content security policies to provide additional defense layers against XSS attacks. Regular security assessments and code reviews focusing on input handling and sanitization practices are essential to prevent such vulnerabilities from being introduced into web applications. The fix typically involves implementing proper HTML escaping for all dynamic content and validating all user-supplied input against whitelisted character sets to prevent malicious code injection.