CVE-2008-7242 in MODX
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in MODx CMS 0.9.6.1 and 0.9.6.1p1 allo remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) search, (2) "a," (3) messagesubject, and (4) messagebody parameters to certain pages as reachable from manager/index.php; (5) highlight, (6) id, (7) email, (8) name, and (9) parent parameters to index.php; and the (10) docgrp and (11) moreResultsPage parameters to index-ajax.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/10/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2008-7242 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting MODx Content Management System versions 0.9.6.1 and 0.9.6.1p1. This issue stems from inadequate input validation and output sanitization mechanisms within the CMS framework, creating multiple attack vectors that allow remote attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users. The vulnerability specifically targets several key parameters across different PHP files within the application's architecture, demonstrating a widespread failure in data sanitization practices that undermines the security of the entire platform.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability manifests through multiple parameter injection points that bypass proper validation controls. Attackers can exploit the search parameter to inject malicious scripts that execute when search results are displayed, while the 'a' parameter in manager/index.php provides another vector for script injection. The messagesubject and messagebody parameters in the same file allow for injection within messaging functionality, creating potential for persistent XSS attacks. Additionally, parameters in index.php including highlight, id, email, name, and parent fields present further opportunities for malicious code execution. The index-ajax.php file contains two additional vulnerable parameters docgrp and moreResultsPage that can be manipulated to deliver malicious payloads through AJAX requests, demonstrating how the vulnerability extends beyond simple page rendering to asynchronous content delivery mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to perform session hijacking, steal user credentials, redirect victims to malicious sites, or execute arbitrary commands within the context of the victim's browser. The persistence of these vulnerabilities across multiple files and parameter types suggests a fundamental flaw in the application's security architecture rather than isolated incidents. Attackers could leverage these vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access to user accounts, manipulate content, or establish persistent backdoors within the CMS environment. The vulnerability affects both administrative and regular user functionality, making it particularly dangerous as it could compromise the entire CMS infrastructure.
Security professionals should recognize this vulnerability as a classic example of CWE-79 - Cross-site Scripting, which is categorized under the OWASP Top Ten as one of the most prevalent web application security risks. The attack patterns align with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 - Phishing, where malicious scripts can be used to harvest credentials or redirect users to malicious domains. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation, output encoding, and context-aware sanitization mechanisms to address this vulnerability. The recommended mitigations include implementing strict parameter validation, deploying Content Security Policy headers, and ensuring all user-supplied input is properly escaped before being rendered in web pages. Additionally, regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in legacy systems, as this vulnerability demonstrates how outdated CMS versions can remain exposed to known attack patterns for extended periods without proper patching or security hardening measures.