CVE-2009-2780 in 68 Classifieds
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in 68 Classifieds 4.1 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) cat parameter to category.php, view parameter to (2) login.php and (3) viewlisting.php, page parameter to (4) searchresults.php and (5) toplistings.php, and (6) member parameter to viewmember.php.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/02/2025
The CVE-2009-2780 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting the 68 Classifieds 4.1 web application, exposing multiple attack vectors that enable remote code execution through malicious script injection. This vulnerability resides in the application's handling of user-supplied input parameters across several key pages, making it particularly dangerous as it affects core functionality of the classifieds platform. The flaw demonstrates poor input validation and output sanitization practices that are fundamental to preventing XSS attacks in web applications. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-79 as Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, which is one of the most prevalent and dangerous web application security weaknesses identified by the CWE organization.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through multiple entry points within the application's parameter handling mechanisms. The cat parameter in category.php, view parameter in login.php and viewlisting.php, page parameter in searchresults.php and toplistings.php, and member parameter in viewmember.php all fail to properly sanitize user input before processing or displaying it within web pages. This lack of input validation creates opportunities for attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code that executes in the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects pages that handle user authentication, listing display, and search functionality, meaning that malicious scripts could potentially intercept session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. Attackers can craft payloads that exploit these parameters to establish persistent XSS attacks, making the vulnerability especially dangerous in multi-user environments.
The operational impact of CVE-2009-2780 extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable sophisticated attack chains that compromise user sessions and data integrity. When exploited, these vulnerabilities can lead to session hijacking, where attackers steal authentication tokens to impersonate legitimate users and gain unauthorized access to classifieds accounts. The vulnerability also enables phishing attacks where malicious scripts can redirect users to fake login pages or modify page content to steal sensitive information. Additionally, the presence of XSS vulnerabilities in authentication and user management pages increases the risk of privilege escalation attacks, where attackers can manipulate the application to perform actions beyond their intended permissions. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007 for Scripting and T1531 for Account Access, demonstrating how XSS can serve as a foundational attack vector for broader compromise. The impact is particularly severe in classifieds platforms where users may have access to sensitive personal information, business listings, or financial data.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-2780 must address the root cause of improper input validation and implement comprehensive output sanitization across all affected parameters. The primary remediation involves implementing strict input validation that filters or encodes all user-supplied data before processing, particularly for parameters that are directly rendered in HTML output. Developers should implement proper output encoding techniques, such as HTML entity encoding, to prevent script execution when displaying user input. The application should also implement Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to limit script sources and prevent unauthorized code execution. Additionally, input validation should include length restrictions, character set validation, and regular expression filtering to prevent malicious payloads from being accepted. Security headers should be configured to prevent XSS attacks, and the application should implement proper session management with secure cookie attributes. Regular security testing including automated scanning and manual penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components, as this vulnerability demonstrates how poor input handling can affect multiple pages within a single application. The remediation process should also include comprehensive code review to ensure all parameter handling follows secure coding practices and that similar vulnerabilities are not present in other parts of the application.