CVE-2009-2163 in Sitecore
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in login/default.aspx in Sitecore CMS before 6.0.2 Update-1 090507 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the sc_error parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/20/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2009-2163 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Sitecore Content Management System, specifically affecting versions prior to 6.0.2 Update-1 090507. This vulnerability resides in the login/default.aspx page component of the CMS, making it a prime target for malicious actors seeking to exploit web application security weaknesses. The flaw manifests when the application fails to properly sanitize user input passed through the sc_error parameter, creating an avenue for attackers to inject malicious scripts or HTML code directly into the web application's response.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the Sitecore CMS authentication flow. When users encounter authentication errors, the system typically displays error messages to guide them through the login process. However, the sc_error parameter in the login page does not adequately filter or escape user-supplied input, allowing attackers to craft malicious payloads that persist in the application's response. This weakness enables attackers to execute arbitrary scripts in the context of the victim's browser, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or other malicious activities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it fundamentally compromises the security of the entire Sitecore CMS environment. Attackers can leverage this flaw to steal user sessions, redirect victims to malicious websites, or even manipulate the CMS functionality itself. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it affects the login page, which represents a critical entry point for all users attempting to access the content management system. This makes it an attractive target for attackers seeking to gain unauthorized access to sensitive content management resources or to disrupt normal business operations through persistent malicious scripts.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, and demonstrates the classic pattern of insufficient input sanitization leading to script execution. From an adversarial perspective, this vulnerability maps directly to ATT&CK technique T1566.001, which involves credential access through social engineering and phishing attacks. The attack vector is particularly relevant in the context of Sitecore CMS deployments where administrators might be targeted through crafted error messages that appear legitimate to users. Organizations using affected versions of Sitecore should prioritize immediate remediation through the available patch updates, as the vulnerability does not require any special privileges or complex exploitation techniques. The recommended mitigation strategy involves implementing proper input validation and output encoding for all parameters, particularly those used in error handling and user feedback mechanisms, to prevent the execution of unauthorized scripts in user browsers.