CVE-2009-0573 in FotoWeb
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in FotoWeb 6.0 (Build 273) allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) s parameter to cmdrequest/Login.fwx and the (2) search parameter to Grid.fwx.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/20/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-0573 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting FotoWeb 6.0 build 273, a web-based photo management and sharing platform. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the application's web interface, specifically targeting two distinct parameter handling points that process user-supplied data without proper security controls. The flaw exists in the authentication and search functionality of the application, creating pathways for malicious actors to execute arbitrary code within the context of other users' browsers.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through two primary attack vectors that exploit the application's failure to properly sanitize user input. The first vector involves the s parameter in the cmdrequest/Login.fwx endpoint, while the second targets the search parameter in Grid.fwx. Both parameters receive direct user input that flows into the web response without adequate filtering or encoding, allowing attackers to inject malicious scripts that execute in the victim's browser context. This represents a classic reflected cross-site scripting vulnerability where malicious payloads are reflected back to users through the application's response.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it enables attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities within the victim's browser session. An attacker could potentially steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, deface the application interface, or execute commands on behalf of authenticated users. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in environments where FotoWeb serves as a corporate or institutional photo management system, as it could compromise sensitive visual content and user authentication credentials. The reflected nature of the attack means that victims must be tricked into clicking malicious links, but once executed, the attack can persist across multiple sessions and user interactions.
From a security framework perspective, this vulnerability maps directly to CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications. The attack pattern aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001, which describes social engineering attacks through malicious links, and T1059.007, covering script execution through web shells or malicious scripts. Organizations using vulnerable versions of FotoWeb should immediately implement input validation controls, implement proper output encoding for all user-supplied data, and deploy web application firewalls to detect and block malicious requests. The remediation process requires comprehensive code review of all parameter handling functions, implementation of strict input validation rules, and deployment of content security policies to mitigate the risk of script execution. Additionally, regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the application stack.