CVE-2008-6982 in devalcms
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in index.php in devalcms 1.4a allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the currentpath parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/03/2024
The CVE-2008-6982 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw discovered in devalcms version 1.4a, specifically within the index.php script. This vulnerability exposes the content management system to malicious web script injection attacks that can compromise user sessions and data integrity. The flaw manifests through the improper handling of the currentpath parameter, which serves as an entry point for attackers to execute unauthorized code within the context of victim browsers. The vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is classified as one of the most prevalent and dangerous web application security flaws in the industry.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the devalcms application. When the currentpath parameter is processed by the index.php script, the application fails to sanitize or escape user-supplied data before incorporating it into dynamic web content. This allows attackers to craft malicious payloads that can execute within the browser context of legitimate users who visit affected pages. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it enables attackers to inject arbitrary HTML and JavaScript code that can persistently affect users who interact with the compromised application. The flaw operates by bypassing standard security controls that should normally prevent untrusted data from being executed as code within the web application's interface.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-6982 extends beyond simple script injection, potentially enabling attackers to perform session hijacking, deface web pages, steal sensitive information, or redirect users to malicious websites. When exploited, this vulnerability can facilitate the compromise of user credentials, facilitate phishing attacks, or allow attackers to establish persistent backdoors within the compromised system. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it requires minimal privileges to exploit, making it attractive to threat actors seeking to gain unauthorized access to web applications. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for credential harvesting through phishing attacks and can also support broader attack chains involving web application exploitation and privilege escalation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-6982 should focus on implementing proper input validation, output encoding, and secure coding practices within the devalcms application. Organizations should immediately upgrade to a patched version of devalcms or implement web application firewalls to filter malicious requests targeting the currentpath parameter. The remediation process should include thorough code reviews to ensure all user inputs are properly sanitized before being processed or displayed. Security measures should incorporate context-specific output encoding to prevent HTML and script injection regardless of the input source. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and monitoring mechanisms can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of adhering to secure coding practices and following industry standards such as those outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST Cybersecurity Framework to prevent similar issues in web application development.