CVE-2008-7206 in Elog Web Logbook
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in Electronic Logbook (ELOG) before 2.7.2 has unknown impact and attack vectors when the "logbook contains HTML code," probably cross-site scripting (XSS).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/15/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-7206 affects Electronic Logbook (ELOG) software versions prior to 2.7.2, specifically when logbook entries contain HTML code. This represents a critical security flaw that falls under the category of cross-site scripting vulnerabilities, though the exact attack vectors and full impact remain unspecified in the initial description. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input sanitization and output encoding mechanisms within the ELOG application, which fails to properly handle HTML content submitted by users. When HTML code is embedded within logbook entries, the application does not sufficiently validate or escape this content before rendering it to other users, creating an environment where malicious scripts can be executed in the context of other users' browsers.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications. This weakness occurs because the ELOG system does not implement proper security controls to prevent malicious HTML content from being interpreted as executable code by web browsers. Attackers could potentially exploit this vulnerability by injecting malicious scripts into logbook entries, which would then be executed whenever other users view those entries. The unspecified nature of the impact suggests that the vulnerability could enable various attack scenarios including session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious websites, though the exact scope remains unclear without additional research into the specific implementation details.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-7206 extends beyond simple data theft, as it represents a fundamental flaw in the application's security architecture that could compromise the integrity of the entire logging system. Organizations relying on ELOG for critical operations could face significant risks including unauthorized access to sensitive information, potential system compromise through browser-based attacks, and damage to operational continuity. The vulnerability's presence in versions before 2.7.2 indicates that it was likely a known issue that was addressed through proper input validation and output encoding updates, suggesting that the security patch would have involved implementing proper HTML sanitization routines and ensuring that all user-provided content is properly escaped before display.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate application updates to version 2.7.2 or later, which would include the necessary security patches to address the XSS vulnerability. Organizations should also implement additional defensive measures including input validation at multiple layers, output encoding for all user-generated content, and regular security assessments of web applications. The ATT&CK framework would categorize this vulnerability under T1566, which covers credential harvesting through social engineering techniques, as attackers could potentially leverage this XSS flaw to capture user sessions or credentials through malicious script execution. Furthermore, implementing a content security policy (CSP) would provide additional protection against script execution, while regular security training for administrators could help prevent the introduction of malicious content through social engineering attacks that exploit this vulnerability.