CVE-2009-0248 in RankEm
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in rankup.asp in Katy Whitton RankEm allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the siteID parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/22/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-0248 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw in the rankup.asp component of Katy Whitton RankEm web application. This vulnerability specifically affects the siteID parameter handling within the application's ranking functionality, creating a pathway for malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of other users' browsers. The flaw resides in the application's insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms, allowing attackers to inject malicious payloads that can persist and execute when legitimate users view the affected pages.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows the standard XSS attack pattern where an attacker crafts a malicious URL containing script code within the siteID parameter. When a victim navigates to this crafted URL, the malicious script executes in their browser context, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input sanitization practices where user-supplied data enters the application without proper validation or encoding, making it susceptible to script injection attacks. This weakness aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting vulnerabilities resulting from inadequate input validation and output encoding.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution as it can enable more sophisticated attacks within the application's user base. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to steal session cookies, modify application behavior, or redirect users to phishing sites that appear legitimate. The persistent nature of stored XSS vulnerabilities in this context means that once exploited, malicious content can affect multiple users over time without requiring repeated exploitation attempts. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where the application serves multiple users or where user-generated content is prevalent. The attack surface is limited to the specific siteID parameter but can be amplified through social engineering techniques that encourage users to click on malicious links.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-0248 should focus on implementing robust input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application. The primary defense involves sanitizing all user-supplied input including the siteID parameter through proper encoding techniques such as HTML entity encoding before rendering any content. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy headers can provide an additional layer of protection against script execution. The application should also employ proper input validation that rejects or sanitizes potentially malicious characters and patterns. Regular security testing including automated scanning and manual penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious input patterns. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to established security frameworks that address common web application vulnerabilities. This case study reinforces the necessity of comprehensive security testing and input validation across all application interfaces to prevent exploitation of similar XSS vulnerabilities that remain prevalent in web applications today.