CVE-2011-2408 in Palm webOS
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Contacts application in HP Palm webOS 3.x before 3.0.2 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/26/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-2408 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Contacts application of HP Palm webOS version 3.x prior to 3.0.2. This weakness exposes mobile devices running the affected operating system to potential exploitation by remote attackers who can inject malicious web scripts or HTML content into the application's interface. The vulnerability's classification as a persistent XSS issue indicates that the malicious code can be stored and executed across multiple user sessions, making it particularly dangerous for mobile environments where user data and privacy are paramount.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the Contacts application's web interface. Attackers can leverage unspecified vectors to inject malicious payloads that execute within the context of the user's browser session, potentially allowing for session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious websites. This flaw operates at the application layer and specifically targets the webOS operating system's handling of contact data input and display processes. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that it affects a core application that users frequently interact with, making successful exploitation more likely.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates significant security risks for users of affected Palm devices, as it enables attackers to compromise user sessions and potentially gain access to sensitive personal information stored within the Contacts application. The mobile environment presents additional challenges since users may access their devices from various locations and networks, increasing the attack surface. The vulnerability's presence in the Contacts application is particularly concerning because this application typically contains sensitive personal data including phone numbers, email addresses, and other identifying information that could be exploited for identity theft or social engineering attacks. The attack vector likely involves manipulating input fields or data processing within the application's user interface, where insufficient sanitization allows malicious code to persist and execute.
The mitigation strategy for this vulnerability requires immediate application of the security patch released by HP for webOS version 3.0.2, which addresses the input validation gaps that enabled the XSS exploitation. Organizations and individuals should implement comprehensive device update policies to ensure all affected Palm devices receive the necessary security patches. Additionally, network administrators should consider implementing web application firewalls and content filtering mechanisms to detect and block suspicious script injections. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, and can be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for initial access through spearphishing attachments, though the specific vector here involves web-based injection rather than traditional email-based attacks. The remediation process should include thorough testing of the patched application to ensure that the XSS vulnerability has been fully resolved without introducing regressions in application functionality.