CVE-2008-6979 in phpAdultSite
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in as_archives.php in phpAdultSite CMS, possibly 2.3.2, allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the results_per_page parameter to index.php. NOTE: some of these details are obtained from third party information. NOTE: this issue might be resultant from a separate SQL injection vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/13/2025
The CVE-2008-6979 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the phpAdultSite content management system, specifically affecting version 2.3.2 and potentially earlier iterations. This vulnerability resides in the as_archives.php component and manifests through the results_per_page parameter when processed by index.php. The flaw enables remote attackers to execute malicious web scripts or HTML code within the context of other users' browsers, creating a significant security risk for the CMS platform and its users. The vulnerability's classification as XSS aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting vulnerabilities in software applications, making it a prime target for malicious actors seeking to exploit user sessions or deface web properties.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the application fails to properly sanitize or escape user input received through the results_per_page parameter. When attackers manipulate this parameter with malicious script payloads, the phpAdultSite CMS processes the input without adequate validation mechanisms, allowing the injected code to execute in the victim's browser. This particular attack vector demonstrates poor input validation practices and highlights the absence of proper output encoding controls within the CMS's architecture. The vulnerability's potential for causing widespread impact increases when considering that the affected parameter is likely used in a context where user-generated content or configuration settings are displayed, creating multiple potential attack surfaces.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, potentially enabling session hijacking, credential theft, and defacement of web properties. Attackers could leverage this flaw to redirect users to malicious sites, steal session cookies, or inject persistent malware into the website's content. The vulnerability's connection to potential SQL injection issues suggests a broader security weakness within the CMS's input handling mechanisms, indicating that the application may lack comprehensive protection against various injection attacks. This interconnected nature of vulnerabilities often results in cascading security issues that can compromise entire web applications. The presence of third-party information sources for vulnerability details indicates that this flaw may have been discovered through external security research or penetration testing activities rather than internal auditing.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-6979 should focus on implementing robust input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the phpAdultSite CMS. The immediate solution involves sanitizing all user inputs, particularly the results_per_page parameter, through proper escaping techniques before processing or displaying any content. Security measures should include implementing Content Security Policy headers to prevent unauthorized script execution, utilizing parameterized queries to address potential SQL injection concerns, and applying proper HTML encoding to all dynamic content. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious payloads attempting to exploit this vulnerability. The remediation process should follow established security frameworks such as the OWASP Top Ten and ATT&CK framework methodologies, ensuring comprehensive protection against similar vulnerabilities. Regular security audits and input validation testing should be implemented to prevent future occurrences of such flaws, particularly given the historical context of this vulnerability within older CMS versions.