CVE-2009-2438 in ClanSphere
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in index.php in the search module in ClanSphere 2009.0 and 2009.0.2 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the text parameter in a list action. NOTE: this might overlap CVE-2008-1399.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/31/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2009-2438 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the ClanSphere content management system version 2009.0 and 2009.0.2. This security weakness resides in the search module's index.php file and specifically affects the list action functionality. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data before rendering it within web pages. Attackers can exploit this weakness by manipulating the text parameter to inject malicious scripts or HTML code that will execute in the context of other users' browsers when they view the affected search results.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which categorizes cross-site scripting as a code injection flaw where untrusted data is incorporated into web pages without proper validation or encoding. This particular implementation allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code through the search functionality, making it a serious concern for web applications that process user input. The vulnerability occurs because the application does not adequately escape or filter special characters in the text parameter before displaying it in the search results page, creating an environment where malicious payloads can be stored and executed.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to the integrity and security of ClanSphere installations. When exploited, the XSS attack could enable attackers to steal session cookies, perform actions on behalf of authenticated users, redirect victims to malicious websites, or even deface the web application. The impact extends beyond simple data theft as attackers could leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access to the system or use it as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks. The fact that this vulnerability affects the search module means that any user interaction with search functionality could potentially serve as an attack vector, making it particularly dangerous in environments where search features are frequently used.
The overlap with CVE-2008-1399 suggests that this vulnerability may represent a similar or related weakness that was previously documented, indicating a pattern of inadequate input sanitization in the application's codebase. Organizations should consider this vulnerability as part of a broader security posture assessment, particularly when evaluating their web application security controls. The recommended mitigations include implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms, ensuring that all user-supplied data is sanitized before being processed or displayed, and applying the latest security patches provided by the ClanSphere developers. Additionally, organizations should implement content security policies and regularly audit their web applications for similar vulnerabilities to prevent exploitation through various attack vectors.