CVE-2009-1458 in razorCMS
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in admin/index.php in razorCMS before 0.4 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via (1) the slab parameter in an edit action, (2) the catname parameter in a showcats action, and (3) the cat parameter in a reordercat action.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/17/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2009-1458 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in the razorCMS content management system prior to version 0.4. This vulnerability exists within the administrative interface of the software and allows remote attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of authenticated users. The flaw specifically affects three distinct parameters within different administrative actions, creating multiple attack vectors that could be exploited by malicious actors to compromise the system. The vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is classified as a common weakness in web applications that enables attackers to inject client-side scripts into web pages viewed by other users.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through three specific parameter injection points within the administrative control panel. The slab parameter in the edit action allows attackers to inject malicious code when manipulating content slabs within the CMS. The catname parameter in the showcats action enables injection during category name display operations, while the cat parameter in the reordercat action permits script injection during category reordering processes. These injection points occur because the application fails to properly sanitize or encode user input before incorporating it into dynamic web page content. The lack of input validation and output encoding creates an environment where attacker-supplied data can be executed as scripts within the browser context of authenticated administrators.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it provides attackers with the ability to escalate privileges and potentially gain full administrative control over the CMS. When authenticated administrators interact with pages containing the injected scripts, the malicious code executes in their browser context, potentially allowing attackers to steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions within the CMS, or redirect users to malicious sites. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it targets the administrative interface, which typically contains sensitive data and powerful system controls. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to modify content, create new user accounts, or even delete critical system files, making it a severe threat to the integrity and availability of the web application.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-1458 should focus on implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application. The most effective approach involves sanitizing all user-supplied input before processing or displaying it within the web interface, particularly for parameters that are used in dynamic content generation. Organizations should implement proper parameter validation and ensure that all administrative actions properly encode output data to prevent script execution. Additionally, the recommended solution is to upgrade to razorCMS version 0.4 or later, which includes proper input sanitization and validation measures. Security best practices should include implementing content security policies, using secure coding standards, and conducting regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, where attackers can execute malicious scripts through web interfaces. The remediation approach should follow the principle of least privilege and input validation as outlined in OWASP Top 10 security guidelines, ensuring that all user inputs are properly validated and sanitized before being processed or rendered within the application interface.