CVE-2010-4358 in Guestbook
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in gb.cgi in MRCGIGUY (MCG) Guestbook 1.0 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) name, (2) email, (3) website, and (4) message parameters.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/08/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-4358 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in the MRCGIGUY (MCG) Guestbook version 1.0 web application. This vulnerability exists within the gb.cgi script which processes guestbook entries and fails to properly sanitize user input before rendering it back to web browsers. The flaw affects four distinct input parameters including name, email, website, and message fields, creating multiple attack vectors for malicious actors to exploit.
This vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws in web applications. The technical implementation issue stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the guestbook script. When users submit entries containing malicious script code through any of the four vulnerable parameters, the application stores this data without proper sanitization and subsequently displays it to other users without adequate HTML escaping or script context handling.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it allows remote attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of other users' browsers. An attacker could inject javascript code that would steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious websites, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. The attack surface is broad since any user can potentially exploit this vulnerability by submitting crafted input through the guestbook interface, making it particularly dangerous for public-facing web applications.
The vulnerability enables various attack patterns that align with ATT&CK technique T1566 for initial access through malicious content and T1059 for command and control through script injection. Attackers could leverage this flaw to establish persistent access to victim systems through session hijacking or to spread malicious payloads to other users who view the compromised guestbook entries. The lack of proper input sanitization creates a persistent threat vector that remains exploitable as long as the vulnerable application remains deployed.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application. The recommended approach includes sanitizing all user input through proper HTML escaping before rendering content, implementing Content Security Policy headers, and conducting regular security testing of web applications. Additionally, upgrading to a patched version of MCG Guestbook or migrating to a more secure guestbook solution would provide permanent resolution to this vulnerability. Organizations should also implement web application firewalls and monitor for suspicious input patterns to detect potential exploitation attempts.