CVE-2009-1762 in GroupWise
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in the WebAccess login page (aka gw/webacc) in Novell GroupWise 7.x before 7.03 HP2 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) GWAP.version or (2) User.Theme (aka User.Theme.index) parameter.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/10/2025
The CVE-2009-1762 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in Novell GroupWise 7.x versions prior to 7.03 HP2, specifically affecting the WebAccess login page component known as gw/webacc. This vulnerability exposes the system to remote code execution through malicious web script injection, creating significant security risks for organizations relying on GroupWise email and collaboration services. The flaw exists within the authentication mechanism where user input parameters are not properly sanitized, allowing attackers to inject malicious payloads directly into the login interface.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through two primary attack vectors: the GWAP.version parameter and the User.Theme parameter. These parameters are processed during the login page rendering phase without adequate input validation or output encoding, enabling attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code or HTML content. When the vulnerable web application processes these parameters, it directly incorporates the user-supplied input into the HTML response without proper sanitization, creating an XSS attack surface that can be exploited by remote adversaries.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary web scripts in the context of authenticated users' browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or further exploitation of the GroupWise environment. The attack can be executed without requiring prior authentication, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by anyone who can access the login page. This vulnerability directly violates the principle of least privilege and can enable attackers to escalate their privileges within the GroupWise ecosystem, potentially gaining access to sensitive email communications and user data.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws in web applications, and demonstrates the classic pattern of insecure input handling where user-supplied data is directly incorporated into web responses without proper validation or encoding. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1566.001 (Phishing via Social Engineering) and T1071.001 (Application Layer Protocol: Web Protocols) as attackers can leverage this flaw to craft malicious web pages that exploit user sessions. Organizations using GroupWise 7.x versions should immediately apply the 7.03 HP2 patch, implement input validation at the application level, and consider network-based mitigations such as web application firewalls to protect against exploitation attempts. Additionally, security awareness training should emphasize the importance of verifying login page integrity and avoiding access to untrusted GroupWise instances. The vulnerability underscores the critical need for regular security updates and proper input sanitization practices in enterprise collaboration platforms to prevent unauthorized access and data breaches.