CVE-2008-7223 in LinPHA
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in LinPHA before 1.3.3 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via (1) ftp/index.php, (2) viewer.php, (3) functions/other.php, (4) include/left_menu.class.php, or (5) plugins/stats/stats_view.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/28/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-7223 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting LinPHA versions prior to 1.3.3. This vulnerability exposes multiple entry points within the application's codebase, creating pathways for remote attackers to execute malicious web scripts or HTML content in the context of affected users' browsers. The affected files include ftp/index.php, viewer.php, functions/other.php, include/left_menu.class.php, and plugins/stats/stats_view.php, all of which demonstrate insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms. The vulnerability falls under CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 for exploiting vulnerabilities in web applications. These multiple attack vectors significantly increase the exploitability of the vulnerability, as attackers can target different parts of the application's functionality to achieve their objectives.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly sanitize user-supplied input before rendering it within web pages. When users interact with the affected components, the application processes parameters without adequate filtering or encoding, allowing malicious payloads to be injected and subsequently executed in the browser context of legitimate users. This creates a persistent threat where attackers can manipulate various application functions to inject scripts that may steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or perform unauthorized actions on behalf of authenticated users. The vulnerability's presence across multiple file paths indicates a systemic issue in the application's security architecture rather than isolated code problems, suggesting that input validation measures are inconsistently applied throughout the codebase.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-7223 extends beyond simple script injection, as it provides attackers with potential access to sensitive user data and session information. Successful exploitation could enable attackers to hijack user sessions, modify application data, or redirect users to phishing sites designed to capture credentials. The multi-vector nature of the vulnerability means that even if one attack vector is patched, others remain exploitable, maintaining the overall risk profile. Organizations using affected LinPHA versions face significant exposure to credential theft, data manipulation, and potential lateral movement within their networks. The vulnerability's classification as a remote code execution threat through browser-based attacks makes it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users may have elevated privileges or access to sensitive systems. Additionally, the presence of this vulnerability in plugin components suggests that third-party extensions may also be at risk, potentially expanding the attack surface beyond the core application.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-7223 should prioritize immediate patching of LinPHA to version 1.3.3 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation across all user-facing application components, ensuring that all parameters are properly sanitized before processing. Output encoding should be implemented consistently throughout the application to prevent script execution in rendered content. Security headers such as Content Security Policy should be configured to limit script execution and prevent unauthorized code injection. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous user behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. The remediation process should also include user education about phishing risks and the importance of maintaining updated software versions. Organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls to provide additional protection layers against similar attacks. The vulnerability's characteristics make it particularly suitable for automated exploitation, emphasizing the need for proactive security measures rather than reactive responses to incidents.