CVE-2009-0430 in Active Bids
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in Active Bids allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) search parameter to search.asp and the (2) URL parameter to tellafriend.asp.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/16/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-0430 represents a critical security flaw in the Active Bids auction platform that exposes users to cross-site scripting attacks. This vulnerability affects two distinct endpoints within the application where user input is not properly sanitized or validated before being rendered in web responses. The primary attack vectors target the search parameter in search.asp and the URL parameter in tellafriend.asp, both of which are commonly used functionality within auction systems where users might enter search terms or share auction links with others. These parameters serve as entry points for malicious actors to inject arbitrary HTML or JavaScript code that can execute in the context of other users' browsers.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding practices within the Active Bids application code. When users submit search queries through search.asp or share auction URLs via tellafriend.asp, the application fails to properly sanitize these inputs before processing them. This allows attackers to craft malicious payloads that contain script tags or other HTML elements that will be executed when other users view the affected pages. The vulnerability manifests as persistent or reflected XSS depending on how the application handles and stores these parameters, potentially enabling attackers to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as it creates a persistent threat vector that can compromise the entire user base of the auction platform. Attackers can leverage these XSS flaws to execute malicious scripts that may steal authentication tokens, redirect users to phishing sites, or inject malicious advertisements into the auction environment. The vulnerability affects the core functionality of the platform by potentially undermining user trust and the integrity of the auction process itself. Given that auction platforms typically handle sensitive user information and financial transactions, this vulnerability could enable sophisticated attacks such as session hijacking, account takeover, or manipulation of auction outcomes. The reflected nature of these XSS vulnerabilities means that attackers can craft malicious URLs that, when clicked by victims, immediately execute the injected code without requiring persistent storage of the malicious input.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications. The attack patterns associated with this vulnerability can be mapped to several ATT&CK techniques including T1566 for spearphishing with embedded attachments and T1059 for command and scripting interpreter, particularly when attackers use the XSS to establish further footholds within the application environment. The vulnerability also represents a significant risk to the platform's integrity and user privacy, as it can be exploited to monitor user activities and potentially escalate to more severe attacks. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation, output encoding, and content security policies to address this class of vulnerability, while also considering the deployment of web application firewalls to detect and prevent exploitation attempts. The remediation process requires thorough code review and sanitization of all user-controllable input parameters, particularly those used in search and sharing functionalities that are commonly targeted by attackers due to their widespread use and perceived trustworthiness within web applications.