CVE-2008-7141 in @lex Poll
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in setup.php in @lex Poll 2.1 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the language_setup parameter. NOTE: the provenance of this information is unknown; the details are obtained solely from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/07/2025
The CVE-2008-7141 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw discovered in the @lex Poll 2.1 web application's setup.php file. This vulnerability specifically targets the language_setup parameter, creating a pathway for remote attackers to execute malicious web scripts or HTML code within the context of affected user sessions. The vulnerability's classification as a persistent XSS issue stems from the application's failure to properly sanitize user input before processing it within the web interface. The flaw exists in the parameter validation mechanism that should have filtered out potentially harmful script content but instead allowed it to be stored and subsequently executed when the parameter was rendered back to users.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability follows standard XSS attack patterns where the application fails to implement proper input sanitization and output encoding measures. When the language_setup parameter is submitted through the setup.php interface, the application does not adequately validate or escape the input data before incorporating it into the web page's HTML output. This creates a condition where attackers can craft malicious payloads that, when executed, can steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. The vulnerability operates under CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in software applications and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it allows remote code execution through web-based interfaces without requiring any special privileges or authentication.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-7141 extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as it enables sophisticated attack chains that can lead to complete system compromise. An attacker exploiting this vulnerability can establish persistent access through session hijacking, inject malicious content into the application's interface, or redirect users to phishing sites that can harvest credentials. The vulnerability's persistence stems from the fact that the malicious script is stored within the application's parameter handling and executed whenever the affected page is accessed. This creates a continuous threat vector that can affect multiple users over time, particularly in environments where the application serves multiple administrators or users with elevated privileges. Organizations using @lex Poll 2.1 are vulnerable to various attack scenarios including credential theft, data manipulation, and potential lateral movement within network environments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-7141 must focus on implementing robust input validation and output encoding mechanisms. The most effective immediate solution involves sanitizing all user inputs through proper validation routines that reject or escape potentially harmful characters before processing. Organizations should implement Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution and prevent unauthorized code injection. The application should employ proper HTML encoding when rendering user-supplied content to prevent script execution in the browser context. Additionally, implementing parameterized queries and input filtering can prevent malicious data from being processed as executable code. Security teams should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious input patterns, while regular security assessments can identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components. The remediation process should include updating the @lex Poll application to a patched version that properly addresses the input validation flaw, following security best practices such as those outlined in OWASP Top 10 and NIST cybersecurity guidelines.