CVE-2009-3198 in Affiliate Master Datafeed Parser
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in search.php in JCE-Tech Affiliate Master Datafeed Parser Script 2.0 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the search parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/15/2017
The CVE-2009-3198 vulnerability represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the JCE-Tech Affiliate Master Datafeed Parser Script version 2.0, specifically affecting the search.php component. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is one of the most prevalent and dangerous web application security flaws identified by the CWE organization. The vulnerability occurs when the application fails to properly sanitize user input received through the search parameter, allowing malicious actors to inject arbitrary HTML or script code that gets executed in the context of other users' browsers.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding practices within the search.php script. When users submit search queries through the application interface, the input is directly processed and displayed without proper sanitization mechanisms. This creates an environment where attackers can craft malicious payloads that exploit the application's failure to distinguish between legitimate user input and potentially harmful script code. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the user interface level, making it accessible to attackers without requiring elevated privileges or complex exploitation techniques.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as it enables attackers to execute arbitrary code within the browser context of authenticated or unauthenticated users. This can lead to session hijacking, credential theft, redirection to malicious sites, or the execution of malicious scripts that can compromise user systems. The vulnerability affects any user who interacts with the search functionality of the affected application, potentially exposing thousands of users to risk depending on the application's user base and usage patterns. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access to user sessions or to deliver malware through drive-by downloads.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-3198 should focus on implementing proper input validation and output encoding techniques. The most effective approach involves sanitizing all user input through whitelisting mechanisms and encoding output data before rendering it in web pages. This aligns with the ATT&CK framework's mitigation strategies for web application vulnerabilities, particularly those related to input validation and output encoding. Organizations should also implement Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to limit the sources from which scripts can be executed, providing an additional layer of protection against XSS attacks. Regular security audits and code reviews focusing on user input handling, combined with security training for developers, would help prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in future versions of the application. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to web application security standards such as those outlined in the OWASP Top Ten project.