CVE-2009-0526 in AdaptCMS
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in index.php in AdaptCMS Lite 1.4 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) url and (2) acuparam parameters, and (3) the URI.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/23/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2009-0526 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting AdaptCMS Lite version 1.4, specifically within the index.php file. This vulnerability exposes the content management system to malicious injection attacks that can compromise user sessions and data integrity. The flaw manifests through three distinct parameter vectors including url, acuparam, and URI which collectively create multiple attack surfaces for remote threat actors to exploit.
This XSS vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications. The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the CMS framework. When the application processes user-supplied input through these parameters without proper sanitization, malicious scripts can be executed within the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability operates at the application layer where user-controllable data enters the system and is subsequently rendered back to users without appropriate security measures.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it enables attackers to perform session hijacking, defacement of web content, and potentially escalate privileges within the CMS environment. Remote attackers can craft malicious URLs containing script payloads that execute when victims navigate to affected pages. This creates a persistent threat vector where compromised users become unwitting participants in delivering malicious content to other users, effectively turning the CMS into a vector for broader attacks. The vulnerability particularly affects the content management functionality as it allows attackers to manipulate the CMS interface and potentially gain unauthorized access to administrative features.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate input validation and output encoding implementation across all user-controllable parameters. The recommended approach involves implementing strict sanitization of all input data through parameterized queries and proper HTML entity encoding before rendering content. Security measures should also include content security policy implementation to prevent unauthorized script execution, regular security audits of web applications, and comprehensive input validation frameworks. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious script injection attempts. The remediation process must address all three vulnerable parameters mentioned in the vulnerability description to ensure complete protection against similar attacks. Additionally, regular security training for developers and administrators regarding secure coding practices is essential to prevent similar vulnerabilities in future implementations. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation and output encoding in preventing XSS attacks, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter usage in malicious contexts.