CVE-2008-6732 in DotNetNuke
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Language skin object in DotNetNuke before 4.8.4 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via "newly generated paths."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/29/2026
The CVE-2008-6732 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the DotNetNuke content management system that existed prior to version 4.8.4. This vulnerability specifically targets the Language skin object implementation, which serves as a fundamental component for handling multilingual user interfaces in the platform. The flaw enables remote attackers to execute malicious web scripts or HTML code within the context of other users' browsers, potentially compromising the security of entire web applications built on this framework. The vulnerability arises from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the language handling subsystem, creating an attack vector that can be exploited without requiring authentication or privileged access to the system.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of user-supplied input within the Language skin object functionality. When DotNetNuke processes newly generated paths for language localization features, the system fails to adequately sanitize or escape dynamic content that may contain malicious script payloads. This allows attackers to inject crafted URLs or path parameters that contain executable JavaScript code or HTML markup. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the application generates or processes language-related paths, making it particularly dangerous in multi-language environments where such functionality is frequently utilized. The flaw aligns with CWE-79, which categorizes cross-site scripting vulnerabilities as a result of inadequate input validation and output encoding practices. This weakness creates a persistent security risk that can be exploited across different user sessions and browser contexts.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-6732 extends beyond simple script injection, as it can facilitate more sophisticated attack chains including session hijacking, credential theft, and data exfiltration. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to create persistent backdoors within user sessions, potentially gaining unauthorized access to administrative functions or sensitive user information. The vulnerability affects the core functionality of DotNetNuke's internationalization features, making it particularly dangerous for organizations operating in multilingual environments where language switching and path generation are common operations. This flaw can be exploited through various attack vectors including malicious links in forums, comment sections, or even through compromised third-party modules that interact with the language skin object. The impact is amplified in enterprise environments where DotNetNuke serves as a primary platform for content management and user interaction, potentially affecting thousands of users across multiple applications.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should prioritize immediate remediation through the application of patches released by DotNetNuke for versions 4.8.4 and later. The recommended mitigation strategy includes implementing comprehensive input validation mechanisms, applying proper output encoding for all dynamic content, and establishing robust content security policies that prevent unauthorized script execution. Security teams should also conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify any custom modules or extensions that may be vulnerable to similar cross-site scripting attacks, as the flaw may manifest in third-party components that interact with the core language handling functionality. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date security practices and implementing defense-in-depth strategies that include web application firewalls, regular security audits, and proper input sanitization protocols. This case study aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566, which covers social engineering attacks through malicious web content, highlighting the need for comprehensive web security controls that address both application-level and user interaction vulnerabilities.