CVE-2008-6370 in Contact Manager Pro
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in default.asp in Ocean12 Contact Manager Pro 1.02 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the DisplayFormat parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/11/2024
The CVE-2008-6370 vulnerability represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the Ocean12 Contact Manager Pro 1.02 web application. This security weakness resides in the default.asp component where the DisplayFormat parameter fails to properly sanitize user input before incorporating it into dynamic web content. The vulnerability classification aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting attacks, making it a critical concern for web application security. The flaw enables malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of other users' browsers, potentially compromising the integrity and confidentiality of sensitive data.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding practices within the application's parameter handling mechanism. When the DisplayFormat parameter is submitted to the default.asp script without proper sanitization, the application directly incorporates this unvalidated input into the HTTP response without appropriate HTML escaping or context-specific encoding. This creates an environment where attackers can embed malicious payloads that execute in the victim's browser context, leveraging the trust relationship between the user and the vulnerable web application. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and requires no privileged access, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited through simple web requests.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, potentially enabling sophisticated attack vectors that could lead to session hijacking, data theft, or further exploitation within the target environment. Attackers could craft malicious URLs containing script tags that would execute when users view contact records, effectively turning the legitimate contact management system into a conduit for malicious activity. This vulnerability particularly affects users who have access to the contact manager application, as any interaction with the DisplayFormat parameter could trigger the XSS payload. The implications align with ATT&CK technique T1566 which covers spearphishing with malicious attachments or links, where the malicious content is embedded within legitimate web applications.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-6370 should focus on implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application. The most effective approach involves sanitizing all user-supplied input before processing, particularly parameters like DisplayFormat that are directly rendered in web responses. Implementing a comprehensive content security policy can help prevent execution of unauthorized scripts, while proper HTML escaping of dynamic content ensures that any embedded scripts are treated as literal text rather than executable code. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious input patterns, and regular security testing including automated scanning and manual penetration testing to identify similar vulnerabilities in the application codebase. The remediation process should include updating to the latest version of Ocean12 Contact Manager Pro if available, or implementing custom input validation routines that conform to industry standards such as those recommended by OWASP for preventing XSS vulnerabilities.