CVE-2008-7213 in mambo
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in mambots/editors/mostlyce/jscripts/tiny_mce/filemanager/connectors/php/connector.php in MOStlyCE before 2.4, as used in Mambo 4.6.3 and earlier, allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the Command parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/04/2025
The CVE-2008-7213 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the MOStlyCE content management system component that was prevalent in Mambo 4.6.3 and earlier versions. This vulnerability specifically targets the file manager connector script located at mambots/editors/mostlyce/jscripts/tiny_mce/filemanager/connectors/php/connector.php, which serves as an interface for managing files within the CMS environment. The flaw arises from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly handle user-supplied data passed through the Command parameter, creating an avenue for malicious actors to execute unauthorized code within the context of other users' browsers.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the improper handling of the Command parameter within the PHP-based file management connector. When the system processes requests containing malicious input through this parameter, it fails to adequately sanitize or escape the data before incorporating it into dynamic web responses. This weakness allows attackers to inject arbitrary HTML or JavaScript code that gets executed in the browsers of unsuspecting users who subsequently access the compromised system. The vulnerability operates under CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, where the system fails to properly validate or escape user-controllable input before including it in dynamically generated web content.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it provides attackers with the capability to perform session hijacking, deface websites, steal sensitive information, or redirect users to malicious sites. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by crafting a malicious URL containing the XSS payload within the Command parameter, which would then be processed by the vulnerable connector script. The consequences are particularly severe in a CMS environment where administrators and regular users may have varying levels of access permissions, potentially allowing attackers to escalate privileges or gain unauthorized access to sensitive administrative functions. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 which focuses on credential access through social engineering and malicious file execution.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-7213 involve immediate patching of the vulnerable MOStlyCE component to version 2.4 or later, where the input validation mechanisms have been strengthened to properly sanitize all user-controllable parameters. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation at multiple layers, including the web application firewall level and within the application code itself, to prevent malicious payloads from being processed. Additionally, implementing proper output encoding and content security policies can provide defense-in-depth measures against exploitation attempts. Security monitoring should include detection of suspicious parameter values in file manager requests, and regular security audits should verify that all CMS components are updated to their latest secure versions to prevent similar vulnerabilities from persisting in the system infrastructure.