CVE-2009-0540 in Libero
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Libero 5.3 SP5, and possibly other versions before 5.5 SP1, allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the search term field.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/30/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-0540 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within Libero 5.3 SP5 and potentially earlier versions up to 5.5 SP1. This weakness resides in the application's handling of user input through the search term field, creating a pathway for malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of other users' browsers. The flaw fundamentally compromises the integrity of the web application's input validation mechanisms, allowing attackers to bypass security controls designed to prevent such malicious code execution.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications. This classification indicates that the application fails to properly sanitize or escape user-supplied data before incorporating it into dynamically generated web pages. When users submit search terms containing malicious scripts, the application processes these inputs without adequate filtering or encoding, enabling the injected code to execute in the victim's browser session. The vulnerability operates at the application layer where user input transitions into rendered output, making it particularly dangerous as it can affect any user interacting with the affected application interface.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or session hijacking, as it provides attackers with the capability to perform a wide range of malicious activities within the context of authenticated user sessions. Attackers can leverage this flaw to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious websites, deface web pages, or even execute more sophisticated attacks such as credential harvesting or privilege escalation within the application's security boundaries. The remote nature of this attack vector means that exploitation can occur from any location without requiring physical access to the target system, making it particularly attractive to cybercriminals operating at scale.
From a threat modeling perspective, this vulnerability maps to several ATT&CK techniques including T1566 for credential access through malicious web content and T1059 for command and scripting interpreter usage. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that search functionality is typically a core component of web applications, making this vulnerability potentially widespread across similar products. Organizations utilizing affected versions of Libero face significant risk of unauthorized access, data compromise, and potential system infiltration. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple versions suggests a fundamental flaw in the application's input handling architecture that required substantial code review and patching to resolve effectively.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate patch deployment to versions 5.5 SP1 or later, as these releases contain the necessary security fixes to address the input sanitization deficiencies. Additionally, organizations should implement comprehensive input validation measures including HTML encoding of all user-supplied content, implementing content security policies to restrict script execution, and conducting regular security testing of web applications to identify similar vulnerabilities. Network-based protections such as web application firewalls may provide temporary mitigation while permanent patches are deployed, though these solutions should not be considered a substitute for proper application-level fixes. The vulnerability underscores the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions and implementing robust security practices throughout the application development lifecycle to prevent similar issues from emerging in the future.