CVE-2009-2882 in MatchMaking
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in PG MatchMaking allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the show parameter to (1) browse_ladies.php and (2) browse_men.php, the (3) gender parameter to search.php, and the (4) id parameter to services.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/29/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2009-2882 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting the PG MatchMaking web application, which operates as an online dating platform. This vulnerability class falls under CWE-79, known as "Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation," specifically manifesting as multiple XSS attack vectors that enable remote adversaries to execute malicious scripts within the context of victim sessions. The affected application components include browse_ladies.php, browse_men.php, search.php, and services.php, all of which fail to properly sanitize user-supplied input parameters before incorporating them into dynamic web page content.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through four distinct parameter injection points that bypass the application's input validation mechanisms. The show parameter in browse_ladies.php and browse_men.php accepts unvalidated user input that gets directly embedded into HTML output without proper encoding or sanitization. Similarly, the gender parameter in search.php and the id parameter in services.php present identical weaknesses where user-controlled data flows directly into web responses. These flaws stem from the application's failure to implement proper output encoding and input validation controls, allowing attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code that executes in the browsers of unsuspecting users.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, creating a significant threat landscape for both the application and its users. Attackers can leverage these XSS vulnerabilities to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious websites, deface the application interface, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that the application serves as a dating platform where users may be more trusting of the interface and less vigilant about security warnings. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001, "Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment," as attackers could craft malicious payloads that appear legitimate within the dating platform's interface.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-2882 require immediate implementation of comprehensive input validation and output encoding measures across all affected application components. The primary remediation involves implementing strict input validation that filters or sanitizes all user-supplied data before processing, combined with proper output encoding that converts special characters to their HTML entities when rendering user data in web responses. Organizations should deploy Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to limit script execution sources and implement proper parameter validation using allowlists rather than blocklists. Additionally, the application should utilize secure coding practices such as parameterized queries and input sanitization libraries to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in future development cycles. The remediation efforts must address all four identified parameter injection points through consistent application of these security controls across the entire codebase to ensure comprehensive protection against XSS attacks.