CVE-2014-8593 in Allomani Weblinks
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in Allomani Weblinks 1.0 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) default URI to admin.php or the (2) id parameter to admin.php or (3) go.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/03/2022
The CVE-2014-8593 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting Allomani Weblinks version 1.0, a web-based link management system that was widely used for organizing and displaying hyperlinks. This vulnerability exists within the administrative interface of the application, specifically targeting three distinct input vectors that collectively create a significant attack surface for malicious actors seeking to compromise the system. The affected parameters include the default URI pointing to admin.php, the id parameter within the same administrative script, and the go.php endpoint, all of which fail to properly sanitize user-supplied input before rendering it within web pages. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79 as a failure to sanitize input, which is a fundamental weakness in web application security that allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the injection of malicious HTML or JavaScript code into the application's administrative interface. When an attacker crafts a malicious payload and submits it through any of the three vulnerable parameters, the application processes the input without adequate validation or sanitization mechanisms. This allows the injected code to execute within the browser context of authenticated administrators or other users who view the affected pages. The impact extends beyond simple script execution since the administrative interface typically grants elevated privileges, potentially enabling attackers to perform unauthorized actions such as modifying links, accessing sensitive data, or even escalating their privileges within the system. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation practices and highlights the importance of implementing comprehensive sanitization routines for all user-supplied data entering the application.
From an operational standpoint, this vulnerability creates significant risk for organizations using Allomani Weblinks 1.0, as it allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code within the context of the web application. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it targets the administrative interface, which often contains sensitive functionality and data. Successful exploitation could lead to complete system compromise, data theft, or the deployment of backdoors for persistent access. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the web application, as attackers could modify link databases, inject malicious content, or redirect users to phishing sites. Security teams would need to monitor for exploitation attempts and implement immediate mitigations to protect against unauthorized access to the administrative functions.
The remediation approach for this vulnerability requires immediate implementation of proper input validation and output sanitization measures. Organizations should apply the vendor-provided security patches or upgrade to a newer version of Allomani Weblinks that addresses these XSS vulnerabilities. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy headers, using parameterized queries for database operations, and establishing proper input sanitization routines can help prevent similar issues in the future. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as attackers could use the XSS flaw to execute malicious scripts within the browser context of authenticated users. The remediation strategy should also include regular security assessments, input validation testing, and security awareness training for administrators to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in other parts of the application stack.