CVE-2009-0660 in Mahara
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in Mahara 1.0 before 1.0.10 and 1.1 before 1.1.2 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via a (1) profile and (2) blog, a different vulnerability than CVE-2009-0487.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/03/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-0660 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting the Mahara learning management system. This vulnerability exists in versions 1.0 before 1.0.10 and 1.1 before 1.1.2, making it a widespread issue that impacts numerous installations of this educational platform. The flaw specifically allows remote attackers to inject malicious web scripts or HTML content into the system, creating a significant security risk for users and administrators who interact with the platform. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-79, which represents Cross-site Scripting, and aligns with the ATT&CK framework's technique T1190 for Exploit Public-Facing Application, demonstrating how attackers can leverage web application vulnerabilities to compromise user sessions and data integrity.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through profile and blog submission mechanisms within the Mahara platform. Attackers can exploit these pathways by crafting malicious input that gets stored and subsequently executed in the context of other users' browsers. When users view affected profile information or blog posts, the injected scripts execute automatically, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious websites. The distinction from CVE-2009-0487 indicates that while both vulnerabilities involve XSS flaws, they affect different components of the system, with this particular vulnerability targeting the user profile and blog functionality specifically. This dual attack surface increases the potential impact as attackers can compromise multiple user interaction points within the platform.
The operational impact of CVE-2009-0660 extends beyond simple script injection, creating potential for more sophisticated attacks that could compromise entire user sessions and institutional data. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can gain unauthorized access to user accounts, potentially accessing sensitive educational information, personal data, and institutional resources. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation does not require physical access to the system, making it particularly dangerous for organizations that rely on web-based learning management systems. Organizations using affected versions of Mahara face significant risk of data breaches and compromised user trust, as the vulnerability allows for persistent malicious code execution that can remain undetected for extended periods.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to patched versions of Mahara 1.0.10 or 1.1.2, which contain the necessary security fixes for this vulnerability. Additionally, input validation and output encoding should be strengthened throughout the application to prevent malicious content from being stored or executed. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide an additional layer of protection against XSS attacks by restricting the sources from which scripts can be loaded. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual patterns in profile and blog submissions, while regular security audits should verify that all user input is properly sanitized before being processed or displayed. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions and implementing robust input validation mechanisms as recommended by industry standards including OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity guidelines.