CVE-2009-1620 in MataChat
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in input.php in MataChat allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) nickname and (2) color parameters.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/04/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-1620 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in the MataChat web application's input.php script. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, specifically targeting the application's input validation mechanisms. The flaw manifests when the application fails to properly sanitize user-supplied data in two distinct parameter fields, namely nickname and color, which are processed through the input.php endpoint. Attackers can exploit this weakness to inject malicious scripts that execute in the context of other users' browsers, potentially compromising user sessions and data integrity.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input filtering and output encoding practices within the MataChat application. When users provide input through the nickname and color parameters, the application does not sufficiently validate or sanitize these inputs before processing them. This allows malicious actors to submit script tags or other HTML content that gets rendered in subsequent page outputs without proper escaping or encoding. The vulnerability affects the web application's security model by creating a persistent vector through which attackers can execute arbitrary code in victims' browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or defacement of the application interface.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it creates a persistent threat vector that can be exploited across multiple user sessions. Remote attackers can craft malicious payloads that will execute whenever other users view pages containing the compromised input data, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in chat environments where user-generated content is prevalent. The attack surface is broadened by the fact that both nickname and color parameters represent common user interaction points, increasing the likelihood of successful exploitation. This vulnerability directly impacts the application's confidentiality, integrity, and availability by potentially allowing unauthorized access to user data and system resources.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-1620 should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms. The primary defense involves sanitizing all user inputs through strict validation processes that reject or escape potentially dangerous characters and script tags. Implementing proper HTML escaping routines before rendering user-supplied content ensures that any malicious scripts are treated as plain text rather than executable code. Additionally, developers should employ Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to further limit the execution of inline scripts and restrict external resource loading. The application should also implement proper session management and authentication mechanisms to minimize the impact of any successful exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript, emphasizing the importance of preventing script injection attacks through proper input sanitization and output encoding practices. Organizations should also conduct regular security assessments and implement automated vulnerability scanning to identify similar weaknesses in their web applications.