CVE-2009-2127 in Elvinbts
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in show_activity.php in Elvin 1.2.0 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the id parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/01/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-2127 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the Elvin 1.2.0 web application, specifically affecting the show_activity.php component. This issue arises from insufficient input validation and output sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly handle user-supplied data. The vulnerability manifests when the application processes the id parameter without adequate filtering, allowing malicious actors to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content that executes in the context of other users' browsers. Such vulnerabilities fall under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is classified as a critical security weakness in web applications. The flaw demonstrates a fundamental failure in the application's security architecture where user input is directly incorporated into dynamic web content without proper sanitization or encoding.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when remote attackers craft malicious payloads containing script tags or HTML elements and pass them through the id parameter of the show_activity.php script. When legitimate users view the affected page, their browsers execute the injected malicious code, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious websites. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that it affects a core activity display functionality, making it a high-value target for attackers seeking to compromise user sessions or spread malicious content across the application's user base. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 which describes the use of malicious web content to compromise systems through social engineering and script injection attacks. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it requires minimal privileges and can be executed through standard web browser interactions.
The operational impact of CVE-2009-2127 extends beyond immediate script execution, potentially enabling attackers to establish persistent footholds within the application environment. Once exploited, the vulnerability can facilitate more sophisticated attacks including data exfiltration, privilege escalation, or the deployment of additional malicious payloads. The affected Elvin 1.2.0 application becomes a potential conduit for broader security breaches, as compromised user sessions can provide access to sensitive information or administrative functions. Organizations relying on this vulnerable software face significant risks including unauthorized access, data loss, and potential regulatory compliance violations. The vulnerability's persistence is particularly concerning as it can remain undetected for extended periods, allowing attackers to maintain access while harvesting user credentials or sensitive data. This aligns with ATT&CK tactic TA0006 (Credential Access) and TA0003 (Persistence) as attackers can leverage the XSS vulnerability to establish long-term access to the system.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements. The primary solution involves implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms to prevent malicious content from being executed in user contexts. This includes sanitizing all user-supplied input parameters, particularly those used in dynamic content generation, and ensuring that all output is properly encoded for the target execution context. Organizations should implement Content Security Policy headers to further limit script execution capabilities and reduce the impact of potential XSS attacks. Regular security testing and code reviews 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 issue was likely resolved in subsequent versions of the Elvin software. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional layers of protection against similar attacks. Organizations should also consider implementing proper security training for developers to prevent similar issues in future application development cycles.