CVE-2009-0861 in phpDenora
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in phpDenora before 1.2.3 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via an IRC channel name. NOTE: some of these details are obtained from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/01/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-0861 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the phpDenora software platform, specifically affecting versions prior to 1.2.3. This issue resides in the handling of IRC channel names, which are processed and displayed within the web interface without proper sanitization of user-supplied input. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms that fail to properly escape or filter special characters that could be interpreted as HTML or JavaScript code by web browsers. As a remote attack vector, this flaw allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content through the channel name parameter, potentially compromising the security of users interacting with the phpDenora web interface.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications. When an attacker crafts a malicious IRC channel name containing embedded script tags or other HTML elements, these payloads are rendered unescaped within the web interface, enabling the execution of unauthorized code in the context of other users' browsers. The attack typically involves constructing channel names with embedded JavaScript code that executes when other users view the channel information, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because IRC channel names are often displayed in various contexts within the web interface, increasing the attack surface and potential impact of the XSS payload.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can be leveraged for more sophisticated attacks within the context of the affected web application. Attackers can exploit this flaw to establish persistent XSS payloads that remain active across multiple sessions, potentially allowing for long-term surveillance or manipulation of user interactions. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of user sessions, as compromised users may unknowingly execute malicious code that can capture their input or redirect them to phishing sites. Furthermore, the persistence of the vulnerability in versions prior to 1.2.3 indicates a lack of proper security testing or input validation mechanisms during the software development lifecycle, potentially exposing organizations to broader security risks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-0861 should focus on immediate remediation through the upgrade to phpDenora version 1.2.3 or later, which incorporates proper input sanitization and output encoding mechanisms. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation that filters or escapes special characters in IRC channel names before processing them for web display, following established security practices such as those outlined in the OWASP Top Ten. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy headers can provide an additional layer of protection against XSS attacks by restricting the sources from which scripts can be loaded. Regular security audits and input validation testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the web application. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to the principle of least privilege in web application development, ensuring that all user-supplied data is properly validated and sanitized before being rendered in web contexts.