CVE-2009-0931 in Horde Groupware
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the tag cloud search script (horde/services/portal/cloud_search.php) in Horde before 3.2.4 and 3.3.3, and Horde Groupware before 1.1.5, allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/09/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-0931 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Horde web application framework, specifically affecting the tag cloud search functionality. This issue resides in the horde/services/portal/cloud_search.php script and impacts multiple versions of both Horde core applications and Horde Groupware. The vulnerability classifies under CWE-79 which defines improper neutralization of input during web output, making it a classic XSS attack vector that can compromise user sessions and data integrity. The flaw allows remote attackers to inject malicious web scripts or HTML code through unspecified input vectors, creating a significant security risk for organizations relying on these applications for web-based collaboration and portal services.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when users interact with the tag cloud search feature, which processes user input without proper sanitization or output encoding. Attackers can craft malicious payloads that get executed in the context of other users' browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or unauthorized actions performed on behalf of victims. The unspecified vectors suggest that the vulnerability may manifest through multiple input points within the search functionality, making it particularly dangerous as attackers can leverage various injection techniques including reflected XSS through URL parameters or stored XSS through persistent input fields. This type of vulnerability directly violates the principle of least privilege and demonstrates inadequate input validation mechanisms within the application's security architecture.
The operational impact of CVE-2009-0931 extends beyond simple data corruption or display issues, as it creates persistent security risks for organizations using affected versions of Horde applications. When exploited, this vulnerability can enable attackers to establish persistent backdoors, steal sensitive information from authenticated users, or perform unauthorized administrative actions within the application environment. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that Horde applications are commonly used for email services, calendaring, and collaboration platforms where users may have elevated privileges. According to ATT&CK framework methodology, this vulnerability maps to T1059.001 (Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell) and T1566 (Phishing) as attackers can leverage the XSS to redirect users to malicious sites or execute malicious code within the victim's browser context. Organizations may experience cascading security failures as compromised user sessions can lead to further privilege escalation and lateral movement within network environments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-0931 should focus on immediate patching of affected applications to versions 3.2.4, 3.3.3, and 1.1.5 respectively, which contain the necessary security fixes. Additionally, organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout their web applications, particularly for search and user input functionality. Network-based mitigations including web application firewalls and content filtering systems can provide additional layers of protection against exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other web applications within the organization's infrastructure. The implementation of proper security headers including Content Security Policy (CSP) can help prevent execution of unauthorized scripts even if exploitation attempts occur. Organizations should also consider implementing user education programs to recognize phishing attempts that may leverage such vulnerabilities, as the attack often involves social engineering components that complement the technical exploitation vectors.