CVE-2009-1457 in Nuke Evolution Xtreme
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in player.php in Nuke Evolution Xtreme 2.x allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the defaultVisualExt parameter. NOTE: the provenance of this information is unknown; the details are obtained solely from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/14/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-1457 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Nuke Evolution Xtreme 2.x content management system, specifically affecting the player.php script. This vulnerability resides in the handling of the defaultVisualExt parameter, which is processed without adequate input sanitization or output encoding mechanisms. The flaw enables remote attackers to execute malicious web scripts or HTML code within the context of other users' browsers, potentially compromising user sessions and data confidentiality. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-79 which defines cross-site scripting as a code injection vulnerability occurring when untrusted data is incorporated into web pages without proper validation or encoding.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through manipulation of the defaultVisualExt parameter in the player.php endpoint, where attacker-controlled input is directly incorporated into the web page response without proper security controls. This allows malicious actors to inject script tags, javascript code, or HTML elements that execute in the victim's browser context. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it requires no privileged access or authentication, making it a server-side vulnerability that can be exploited by any remote user. The vulnerability's impact is consistent with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 which describes the use of scripting languages to execute commands on compromised systems, and T1566 which encompasses social engineering attacks that leverage web-based vulnerabilities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can facilitate session hijacking, credential theft, and data exfiltration from authenticated users. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access to user accounts, modify content, or redirect users to malicious websites. The vulnerability affects all versions of Nuke Evolution Xtreme 2.x, making it particularly concerning for organizations that have not updated their systems. The lack of official details regarding the vulnerability's origin and the reliance on third-party information suggests that this may represent an unpatched flaw that could have been exploited for extended periods. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation and output encoding in web applications, as the absence of these security controls creates opportunities for attackers to manipulate application behavior and compromise user security.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems to address the root cause through proper input validation and output encoding of the defaultVisualExt parameter. Organizations should implement web application firewalls to detect and block malicious requests targeting the vulnerable parameter, while also conducting thorough security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide additional protection against script execution, and regular security audits should be performed to ensure that all input parameters are properly validated. Security teams should also consider implementing automated monitoring solutions to detect exploitation attempts and maintain detailed logs of user activities to facilitate incident response efforts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical need for robust security practices in web application development and the importance of keeping software components up-to-date with security patches.