CVE-2009-2107 in Webmedia Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in index.php in Webmedia Explorer (webmex) 5.09 and 5.10 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via event handlers such as onmouseover in the (1) search or (2) tag parameters; (3) arbitrary invalid parameter names that are not properly handled when triggered on a column; (4) bookmark parameter in an edit action; or (5) email parameter in a remember action.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/16/2025
The CVE-2009-2107 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in Webmedia Explorer version 5.09 and 5.10, specifically within the index.php script. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly handle user-supplied data in multiple parameter contexts. The flaw enables remote attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of victim browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, data theft, or unauthorized actions within the application's security boundaries. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-79 as "Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting')", which is one of the most prevalent and dangerous web application security flaws.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through multiple attack vectors that all exploit the same underlying weakness in input handling. Attackers can inject malicious scripts through event handlers such as onmouseover in search or tag parameters, or through arbitrary invalid parameter names that are not properly sanitized when processed against database columns. Additionally, the vulnerability extends to the bookmark parameter during edit actions and the email parameter in remember actions, creating multiple entry points for exploitation. These attack vectors demonstrate a pattern of insufficient output encoding and input validation that allows attackers to bypass security measures designed to protect against malicious input.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it allows attackers to compromise user sessions and potentially gain unauthorized access to sensitive data or functionality. When victims interact with maliciously crafted URLs containing XSS payloads, their browsers execute the injected scripts, which can steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or perform unauthorized actions on their behalf. The vulnerability affects not just individual users but potentially the entire user base of affected installations, making it particularly dangerous for applications handling sensitive information. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1531 "Modify Application Configuration" and T1059.007 "Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript', as it enables attackers to manipulate application behavior through client-side script injection.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-2107 require immediate implementation of comprehensive input validation and output encoding measures. Organizations should implement strict sanitization of all user-supplied input, particularly in parameters used for database queries and HTML generation. The solution involves proper HTML escaping of output data, implementing Content Security Policy headers, and using parameterized queries to prevent injection attacks. Additionally, developers should adopt secure coding practices that validate input against expected formats and reject any malformed data. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of keeping web applications updated with the latest security patches, as this flaw was likely addressed in subsequent releases of the Webmedia Explorer software. Organizations should implement web application firewalls and monitor for suspicious traffic patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts.