CVE-2009-1937 in LightNEasy
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the comment posting feature in LightNEasy 2.2.1 "no database" (aka flat) and 2.2.2 SQLite allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) commentname (aka Author), (2) commentemail (aka Email), and (3) commentmessage (aka Comment) parameters. NOTE: some of these details are obtained from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/10/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-1937 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the LightNEasy content management system versions 2.2.1 and 2.2.2. This vulnerability specifically targets the comment posting functionality of the application, which operates in both flat file and SQLite database modes. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly handle user-supplied data before rendering it within web pages. The affected parameters include commentname (also known as Author), commentemail (also known as Email), and commentmessage (also known as Comment), all of which can be manipulated by remote attackers to inject malicious scripts.
This XSS vulnerability operates under the Common Weakness Enumeration framework as CWE-79, which categorizes it as "Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting')". The vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of other users' browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious websites. The flaw exists because the application does not properly sanitize or encode user input before storing and displaying it in comment sections, creating an environment where malicious payloads can be executed when other users view the affected content.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can be leveraged to compromise user sessions and facilitate more sophisticated attacks. Attackers can craft malicious comments that contain JavaScript payloads designed to steal cookies, redirect users to phishing sites, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. The vulnerability affects both flat file and SQLite database configurations, indicating a fundamental flaw in the application's input handling logic rather than a database-specific issue. This broad scope makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous as it impacts multiple deployment scenarios.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms. The most effective approach involves sanitizing all user-supplied data before processing, utilizing HTML entity encoding for output rendering, and implementing Content Security Policy headers to prevent script execution. Organizations should also consider updating to patched versions of LightNEasy, as the vulnerability affects specific versions that likely received security updates. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under T1566, "Phishing", as it can be exploited to deliver malicious payloads through compromised comment systems, making it a significant vector for social engineering attacks. Additionally, implementing proper web application firewall rules to detect and block suspicious input patterns can provide additional layers of protection against exploitation attempts.