CVE-2011-4265 in phpWebSite
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in phpWebSite before 1.0.0 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/13/2019
The CVE-2011-4265 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw discovered in the phpWebSite content management system prior to version 1.0.0. This vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting vulnerabilities that enable attackers to inject malicious scripts into web applications. The flaw exists in the application's input validation mechanisms, creating an avenue for remote attackers to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple script injection as it can facilitate more sophisticated attacks including session hijacking, credential theft, and redirection to malicious sites.
The technical exploitation of this XSS vulnerability occurs through unspecified vectors within the phpWebSite application, suggesting that multiple entry points may be susceptible to malicious input. Attackers can leverage this weakness by crafting specially formatted input that gets processed and rendered without proper sanitization, allowing malicious code to execute in the victim's browser. The vulnerability's classification as remote indicates that attackers do not require physical access to the system or local network privileges to exploit it, making it particularly dangerous in web environments where user input is common. This weakness essentially allows an attacker to bypass the normal security boundaries that protect user sessions and data integrity.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-4265 is significant as it can compromise user sessions and potentially lead to full account takeover. When users interact with vulnerable phpWebSite installations, their browsers may execute malicious scripts that can steal session cookies, capture keystrokes, or redirect users to phishing sites. The vulnerability also poses risks to data integrity and confidentiality, as attackers can manipulate the content displayed to users or inject malicious payloads that persist in the application's data stores. This type of vulnerability directly violates the principle of least privilege and can enable attackers to escalate their privileges within the application environment, particularly if the application handles sensitive user data or administrative functions.
Organizations utilizing affected versions of phpWebSite should immediately implement mitigation strategies including input sanitization, output encoding, and proper content security policies. The recommended solution involves upgrading to phpWebSite version 1.0.0 or later, which includes patched validation mechanisms and improved input handling procedures. Security measures should also include implementing web application firewalls, conducting regular security assessments, and establishing proper input validation protocols. From a defensive perspective, this vulnerability aligns with tactics described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1059.001 technique for command and scripting interpreter, as attackers can use the XSS vulnerability to execute malicious scripts within the browser context. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining current software versions and implementing comprehensive security controls to prevent exploitation of known weaknesses in web applications.