CVE-2009-3256 in LiveStreet
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in include/ajax/blogInfo.php in LiveStreet 0.2 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the URI, as demonstrated by a SCRIPT element in an arbitrary parameter such as the asd parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/30/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-3256 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the LiveStreet 0.2 content management system, specifically located in the include/ajax/blogInfo.php file. 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. The issue arises from inadequate input validation and output sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly filter malicious content submitted through URI parameters, creating an exploitable vector for remote attackers to execute arbitrary web scripts within the context of authenticated users' browsers.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows attackers to inject malicious scripts through any parameter in the URI, with the asd parameter serving as a demonstrated example. When the blogInfo.php script processes these parameters without proper sanitization, it directly incorporates user-supplied data into the response sent to the browser. This occurs because the application fails to implement proper output encoding or validation techniques that would prevent script execution. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it operates at the application layer, requiring no special privileges or authentication to exploit, making it highly accessible to attackers.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable sophisticated attack vectors including session hijacking, credential theft, and redirection to malicious sites. An attacker could craft a malicious URI containing a SCRIPT element that would execute when a victim visits the affected page, potentially stealing cookies, modifying content, or redirecting users to phishing sites. This vulnerability specifically targets the AJAX functionality of LiveStreet, which means it can be exploited through legitimate application interactions, making detection more challenging and the attack surface more extensive. The flaw demonstrates poor secure coding practices that violate fundamental web application security principles and can be classified under the ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-3256 require immediate implementation of input validation and output encoding measures. The most effective approach involves sanitizing all user-supplied input through proper validation routines that reject or encode potentially dangerous characters before processing. Implementing Content Security Policy headers can provide additional defense-in-depth measures to prevent script execution even if input validation is bypassed. Organizations should also consider updating to patched versions of LiveStreet 0.2, as this vulnerability was likely addressed in subsequent releases. Regular security testing including dynamic application security testing and manual penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the web application stack. The fix should implement proper parameter validation, escape output for HTML contexts, and ensure that all user-provided data is treated as untrusted input regardless of its source or apparent legitimacy.