CVE-2008-7043 in Fresh Email Script
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in register.php in FreshScripts Fresh Email Script 1.0 through 1.11 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the Email parameter. NOTE: this can be leveraged to modify cookies and conduct session fixation attacks.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/10/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-7043 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the FreshScripts Fresh Email Script version 1.0 through 1.11. This security weakness resides in the register.php script where user input validation is insufficient, allowing malicious actors to inject arbitrary web script or HTML code through the Email parameter. 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 according to the CWE database. The flaw specifically manifests when the application fails to properly sanitize or encode user-supplied input before incorporating it into dynamic web page content, creating an avenue for attackers to execute malicious code within the context of a victim's browser session.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it provides attackers with the capability to manipulate browser cookies and conduct session fixation attacks. When an attacker successfully injects malicious scripts through the Email parameter, they can potentially access or modify session cookies that are stored in the victim's browser, effectively hijacking user sessions and gaining unauthorized access to accounts. This capability enables attackers to impersonate legitimate users, access sensitive information, and perform actions on behalf of the compromised user. The session fixation aspect of this vulnerability means that attackers can not only steal existing sessions but also force users to adopt predetermined session identifiers, making it easier to maintain persistent access to compromised accounts. The vulnerability's exploitation potential is heightened by the fact that it requires minimal user interaction, as the malicious script executes automatically when the compromised page is loaded.
The attack surface for this vulnerability is particularly concerning given that it affects a registration script that is likely to be accessed by numerous users during the account creation process. The FreshScripts Fresh Email Script, being a web-based email management system, would typically handle sensitive user information and authentication data, making it an attractive target for attackers seeking to exploit such flaws. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple versions from 1.0 through 1.11 indicates a fundamental flaw in the application's input handling mechanisms that was not adequately addressed through version updates. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1531 for 'Modify Authentication Process' and T1566 for 'Phishing', as it enables attackers to manipulate authentication tokens and potentially trick users into executing malicious code. Organizations using this software should implement immediate mitigations including proper input validation, output encoding, and the implementation of Content Security Policy headers to prevent unauthorized script execution. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and conducting regular security assessments to identify and remediate such flaws before they can be exploited in real-world scenarios.