CVE-2009-2814 in Mac OS X Server
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Wiki Server in Apple Mac OS X 10.5.8 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via a search request containing data that does not use UTF-8 encoding.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/30/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2009-2814 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within Apple Mac OS X 10.5.8s Wiki Server component. This security weakness stems from improper input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly handle non-UTF-8 encoded data in search requests. The vulnerability specifically affects the Wiki Server functionality that processes user input through search queries, creating an avenue for malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of other users' browsers. The issue manifests when the system encounters search data that employs character encodings other than UTF-8, which creates parsing inconsistencies that can be exploited to inject malicious content.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through carefully crafted search requests that contain non-UTF-8 encoded characters. When the Wiki Server processes these requests, it fails to adequately sanitize or encode the input data before rendering it in web responses. This allows attackers to embed malicious scripts or HTML content within search terms that get executed when other users view search results or interact with the wiki interface. The flaw essentially bypasses normal security controls by leveraging the encoding mismatch between the input processing and output rendering phases, creating a persistent injection point that can be leveraged for session hijacking, data theft, or redirection to malicious sites.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations utilizing Mac OS X 10.5.8 systems with Wiki Server functionality. The remote nature of the attack means that malicious actors can exploit the flaw without requiring local system access or physical presence. Users who interact with the wiki server become potential victims when they view search results containing malicious payloads, which could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive information, compromise of user sessions, or redirection to phishing sites. The vulnerability particularly affects environments where multiple users collaborate through wiki interfaces, as any compromised search term could affect all users who encounter it in search results or navigation menus.
The mitigation strategies for this vulnerability encompass multiple layers of defense that align with established security frameworks and best practices. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and sanitization measures that enforce consistent character encoding throughout all user input processing pipelines. This includes mandatory UTF-8 encoding enforcement for all search requests and proper HTML escaping of all dynamic content before rendering. System administrators should consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious search patterns, while also applying the latest security patches provided by Apple. The vulnerability demonstrates characteristics consistent with CWE-79: Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, and aligns with ATT&CK techniques related to web shell deployment and credential theft through browser-based attacks. Regular security monitoring and user education about suspicious search results can further reduce the attack surface and potential impact of such vulnerabilities.
This vulnerability type falls under the broader category of injection flaws that have been consistently identified as critical security weaknesses in web applications, with the specific implementation details in this Mac OS X environment highlighting the importance of proper encoding handling in server-side components. The persistence of such issues in older operating system versions underscores the necessity of regular security updates and the risks associated with maintaining outdated systems in enterprise environments.