CVE-2008-7147 in IntraLearn
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in IntraLearn Software IntraLearn 2.1, and possibly other versions before 4.2.3, allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) outline and (2) course parameters to library/description_link.cfm, or the (3) records_to_display and (4) the_start parameters to library/courses_catalog.cfm.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/02/2017
The CVE-2008-7147 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting IntraLearn Software version 2.1 and potentially earlier versions up to 4.2.2. This vulnerability resides within the web application's handling of user-supplied input parameters, specifically targeting two distinct endpoints within the library module. The flaw demonstrates a classic input validation failure where the application fails to properly sanitize or encode user-provided data before incorporating it into dynamically generated web content, creating an avenue for malicious actors to execute arbitrary scripts within the context of other users' browsers.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through four specific parameter manipulation points that traverse different application modules. The first two parameters outline and course in the library/description_link.cfm endpoint accept unvalidated input that gets directly embedded into HTML output without proper sanitization. Similarly, the records_to_display and the_start parameters in library/courses_catalog.cfm suffer from identical weaknesses. These parameters likely originate from user interactions or API calls and are processed without adequate input filtering or output encoding mechanisms, allowing attackers to inject malicious payloads that persistently execute when other users view the affected pages.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it enables attackers to perform session hijacking, steal sensitive user credentials, manipulate data within the application, or redirect users to malicious websites. The persistent nature of XSS vulnerabilities means that once exploited, malicious scripts can affect all users who access the vulnerable pages, potentially compromising the entire user base of the learning management system. Attackers could leverage these vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access to course materials, user information, or even administrative functions depending on the application's privilege model, representing a significant threat to educational institution data integrity and user privacy.
From a cybersecurity framework perspective, this vulnerability maps directly to CWE-79 Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, which is categorized under the OWASP Top Ten as one of the most critical web application security risks. The attack pattern aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for Initial Access through Spearphishing Attachment and T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter through PowerShell or web scripting. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms across all user-facing parameters, deploy web application firewalls to detect and block malicious payloads, and ensure all applications undergo regular security assessments. The vulnerability underscores the critical importance of secure coding practices and input sanitization, particularly in educational platforms that handle sensitive user data and learning materials, as the remediation requires immediate patching of the affected software versions or implementation of proper parameter validation controls.