CVE-2008-6446 in MAXSITE
Summary
by MITRE
Static code injection vulnerability in the Guestbook component in CMS MAXSITE allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary PHP code into the guestbook via the message parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/12/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-6446 represents a critical static code injection flaw within the Guestbook component of CMS MAXSITE, a content management system that was widely deployed in web environments during the late 2000s. This vulnerability resides in the way the system processes user input through the message parameter, creating an exploitable pathway for malicious actors to execute arbitrary PHP code on the affected server. The flaw demonstrates a classic lack of proper input validation and output encoding, which are fundamental security controls that should prevent user-supplied data from being interpreted as executable code. This type of vulnerability falls under the broader category of code injection attacks that have been consistently categorized by CWE as CWE-94, which specifically addresses "Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection')" and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.1.001 for Command and Scripting Interpreter.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker submits malicious PHP code through the message parameter of the Guestbook component, which then gets processed and stored within the system without proper sanitization. When the guestbook entries are subsequently displayed or processed, the injected code becomes executable within the context of the web server, potentially allowing attackers to perform unauthorized actions such as file manipulation, data exfiltration, or even complete system compromise. The static nature of this injection means that the malicious code is not dynamically generated but rather hardcoded within the user input, making it particularly dangerous as it bypasses many standard input validation mechanisms that might otherwise detect dynamic code patterns. This vulnerability particularly impacts the principle of least privilege and demonstrates how insufficient input sanitization can lead to privilege escalation and persistent access within web applications.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-6446 extends far beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with the capability to establish persistent backdoors, steal sensitive information, and potentially use the compromised system as a launchpad for further attacks within the network infrastructure. Organizations utilizing CMS MAXSITE would face significant risk exposure, as the vulnerability could be exploited without requiring authentication, making it particularly attractive to automated attack tools. The vulnerability also demonstrates a critical failure in the application's security architecture, specifically in the area of input validation and data sanitization, which are essential components of secure software development practices. This flaw would likely result in compliance violations for organizations subject to security standards such as pci dss, iso 27001, or hipaa, as it represents a fundamental weakness in the application's ability to protect against malicious code injection attacks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-6446 should focus on immediate input validation and output encoding measures to prevent user-supplied data from being interpreted as executable code. Organizations should implement proper parameter sanitization techniques, including the use of allowlists for acceptable input characters and comprehensive encoding of all user-supplied data before it is processed or displayed. The recommended approach aligns with the secure coding principles outlined in owasp top ten and follows the defense-in-depth strategy that includes multiple layers of protection such as web application firewalls, input validation at multiple points, and regular security audits. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing runtime application self-protection mechanisms and monitoring for suspicious code patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of keeping CMS systems updated and patched, as this particular flaw would have been addressed through proper security maintenance practices that are fundamental to the security posture of any web application infrastructure.