CVE-2009-2589 in Hutscripts PHP Website Script
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in Hutscripts PHP Website Script allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the msg parameter to (1) feedback.php, (2) index.php, and (3) lostpassword.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/22/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-2589 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Hutscripts PHP Website Script, a widely deployed content management system that has been targeted by malicious actors seeking to exploit web application weaknesses. This vulnerability specifically affects three distinct endpoints within the application framework, creating multiple attack vectors that collectively amplify the risk to system security and user data integrity. The flaw resides in the improper handling of user input within the msg parameter, which is processed across three different script files that serve different functional purposes within the website's user interaction flow.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding practices within the PHP application codebase. When users submit data through the feedback.php, index.php, or lostpassword.php scripts, the msg parameter is directly incorporated into the web page response without proper sanitization or encoding mechanisms. This allows attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code or HTML content that executes within the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability manifests as a classic reflected XSS attack pattern where malicious payloads are embedded in the URL parameters and executed when the victim accesses the affected pages. This weakness directly maps to CWE-79, which defines Cross-Site Scripting as a security flaw that occurs when an application includes untrusted data in a new web page without proper validation or escaping, allowing attackers to inject client-side scripts into web pages viewed by other users.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or session hijacking, as it provides attackers with the capability to manipulate the application's behavior and potentially escalate privileges within the user context. Attackers can craft malicious URLs containing script payloads that, when clicked by unsuspecting users, execute code in their browsers to steal session cookies, redirect traffic to malicious sites, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. The presence of XSS vulnerabilities in feedback and password recovery mechanisms is particularly concerning as these functions are often accessed by users with varying levels of trust and system privileges, creating opportunities for attackers to compromise user accounts or extract sensitive information from the application's user base. The vulnerability's impact is further amplified by the fact that it affects core website functionality scripts that are frequently accessed by legitimate users.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in the context of the broader ATT&CK framework, particularly under the T1059.007 technique for Command and Scripting Interpreter, as the XSS attack vector allows adversaries to execute arbitrary code within user browsers. The vulnerability also aligns with T1566.001 for Phishing, as attackers can leverage the XSS flaw to create convincing phishing campaigns that appear legitimate to users. Mitigation strategies should include immediate implementation of input validation and output encoding mechanisms across all user input parameters, with particular attention to the msg parameter handling in the affected scripts. Organizations should deploy comprehensive web application firewalls and implement Content Security Policy headers to prevent unauthorized script execution. Regular security audits and input validation testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components, as this flaw demonstrates the importance of consistent security practices across all web application elements. The vulnerability also highlights the necessity of following secure coding practices that align with OWASP Top Ten recommendations for preventing XSS attacks through proper input sanitization and output encoding techniques.