CVE-2008-6217 in Extrakt Framework
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in index.php in Extrakt Framework 0.7 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the plugins[file][id] parameter. NOTE: the provenance of this information is unknown; the details are obtained solely from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/21/2025
The CVE-2008-6217 vulnerability represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the Extrakt Framework version 0.7, specifically targeting the index.php script. This vulnerability arises from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly filter user-supplied data before processing and rendering within web pages. The affected parameter plugins[file][id] serves as the attack vector where malicious actors can inject arbitrary HTML or JavaScript code, exploiting the framework's failure to implement proper security controls for user input handling.
This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is classified as a critical security weakness in web applications. The flaw demonstrates a fundamental failure in the framework's security architecture where data validation occurs too late in the processing pipeline or not at all. The XSS vulnerability allows attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of other users' browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites. The attack requires no privileged access and can be executed through simple web browser interactions, making it particularly dangerous in environments where multiple users interact with the same framework instance.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable sophisticated attacks such as cookie theft, session manipulation, and phishing operations. When exploited, the vulnerability allows attackers to establish persistent malicious presence within the application environment, potentially compromising user data and application integrity. The framework's lack of proper input sanitization creates an environment where malicious payloads can be stored and executed across multiple user sessions, effectively turning the application into a vector for broader security breaches. This type of vulnerability is particularly concerning in web applications that handle sensitive user information or business-critical data.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-6217 should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms. The framework must sanitize all user-provided inputs before processing, particularly parameters like plugins[file][id] that are directly incorporated into web page content. Security measures should include the implementation of Content Security Policies, proper HTML encoding of output, and input validation that rejects or filters potentially malicious content. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious input patterns, while regular security assessments and code reviews can help identify similar vulnerabilities in other parts of the application stack. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to established security frameworks such as those defined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST guidelines for web application security.