CVE-2009-0285 in BBSXP
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in error.asp in BBSXP 5.13 and earlier allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the message parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/02/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-0285 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the BBSXP 5.13 content management system, specifically affecting the error.asp component. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data before rendering it within web pages. The affected system processes the message parameter without sufficient sanitization, creating an environment where malicious actors can inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content that executes in the context of other users' browsers.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which defines cross-site scripting as a weakness where untrusted data is incorporated into web pages without proper validation or encoding. The flaw occurs when the error.asp script directly incorporates user input from the message parameter into dynamically generated HTML content without appropriate HTML escaping or context-aware encoding. This allows attackers to craft malicious payloads that can execute within the victim's browser session, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations utilizing BBSXP 5.13 or earlier versions, as it enables remote code execution through browser-based attacks without requiring authentication. Attackers can exploit this weakness by submitting malicious input through the message parameter, which gets reflected back in error messages displayed to other users. The impact extends beyond simple script execution, as successful exploitation can lead to complete compromise of user sessions, data exfiltration, and potential lateral movement within networks where affected systems reside. The vulnerability affects all users who interact with the BBSXP system, making it particularly dangerous in multi-user environments where forum posts or error messages are frequently viewed.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of affected BBSXP installations to version 5.14 or later, which contains the necessary input validation fixes. Organizations should implement comprehensive input sanitization measures, including HTML encoding of all user-supplied content before display, and employ Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution. Additionally, network segmentation and web application firewalls can provide additional defense-in-depth layers. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and output encoding practices as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten security controls, specifically addressing the need for secure data handling and the prevention of injection attacks that can compromise web application integrity and user security.