CVE-2008-7092 in Affinium Campaign
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in Unica Affinium Campaign 7.2.1.0.55 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via a Javascript event in the (1) url, (2) PageName, and (3) title parameters in a CustomBookMarkLink action to Campaign/Campaign; (4) a Javascript event in the displayIcon parameter to Campaign/updateOfferTemplateSubmit.do (aka the templates web page); (5) crafted input to Campaign/CampaignListener (aka the listener server), which is not properly handled when displaying the status log; and (6) id parameter to Campaign/campaignDetails.do, (7) id parameter to Campaign/offerDetails.do, (8) function parameter to Campaign/Campaign, (9) sessionID parameter to Campaign/runAllFlowchart.do, (10) id parameter in an edit action to Campaign/updateOfferTemplatePage.do, (11) Frame parameter in a LoadFrame action to Campaign/Campaign, (12) affiniumUserName parameter to manager/jsp/test.jsp, (13) affiniumUserName parameter to Campaign/main.do, and possibly other vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/15/2017
The CVE-2008-7092 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting Unica Affinium Campaign 7.2.1.0.55, a marketing automation platform that processes customer data and campaign management workflows. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms within multiple web application endpoints, creating numerous attack vectors that allow remote attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code into the application's response streams. The flaw specifically targets parameters within various servlets and jsp pages, enabling attackers to manipulate application behavior through crafted HTTP requests that bypass standard security controls. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which defines cross-site scripting as the improper handling of untrusted data in web applications, and demonstrates the classic pattern of insufficient output encoding and input validation that has plagued web applications for decades.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through multiple distinct attack vectors that leverage JavaScript event handlers within various parameter names across the application's interface. Attackers can inject malicious scripts through the url, PageName, and title parameters in CustomBookMarkLink actions, or through the displayIcon parameter in updateOfferTemplateSubmit.do. The vulnerability extends to campaignDetails.do and offerDetails.do endpoints through id parameter manipulation, while also affecting session management through sessionID parameter handling in runAllFlowchart.do. Additional attack surfaces include the CampaignListener endpoint which fails to sanitize status log displays, and various manager jsp pages that accept affiniumUserName parameters. These vectors demonstrate a systemic failure in the application's security architecture where multiple entry points lack consistent input validation and output encoding mechanisms, creating a broad attack surface that requires comprehensive remediation rather than isolated fixes.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe, as it enables attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript code within the context of authenticated user sessions, potentially leading to session hijacking, data theft, and privilege escalation. An attacker could leverage these vulnerabilities to steal user credentials, manipulate campaign data, or redirect users to malicious sites. The vulnerability particularly affects the application's administrative functions, as the CampaignListener endpoint and various management interfaces provide access to sensitive operational data. The presence of multiple attack vectors increases the likelihood of successful exploitation and provides attackers with redundancy in their attack strategies. This vulnerability directly impacts the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the Unica Affinium Campaign system, potentially allowing attackers to compromise the entire marketing automation infrastructure. The attack surface spans across multiple application modules including campaign management, template handling, session management, and administrative interfaces, creating a comprehensive threat that could severely impact business operations and customer data security.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-7092 require comprehensive input validation and output encoding across all affected application endpoints. Organizations should implement strict parameter validation for all user-supplied inputs, particularly those used in dynamic content generation and session management. The solution involves deploying proper HTML encoding and JavaScript escaping mechanisms for all output that incorporates user-provided data, ensuring that any potentially malicious input is neutralized before being rendered to users. Security patches should address each of the twelve identified attack vectors through consistent implementation of secure coding practices, including the use of parameterized queries, input sanitization libraries, and proper context-aware encoding for different output contexts. The remediation process should follow established security frameworks such as OWASP Top 10 guidance and NIST cybersecurity guidelines, implementing defense-in-depth strategies that include web application firewalls, input validation layers, and regular security assessments. Additionally, organizations should establish comprehensive monitoring and logging mechanisms to detect potential exploitation attempts and implement regular security training for development teams to prevent similar vulnerabilities in future releases. The vulnerability serves as a critical reminder of the importance of consistent security controls throughout application architecture and the necessity of addressing security concerns at every layer of the software development lifecycle.