CVE-2009-3299 in Mahara
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the resume blocktype in Mahara before 1.0.13, and 1.1.x before 1.1.7, allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/25/2021
The CVE-2009-3299 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Mahara learning management system's resume blocktype functionality. This vulnerability affects versions prior to 1.0.13 and 1.1.7, creating a significant security risk for educational institutions and users relying on the platform for collaborative learning and portfolio management. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output sanitization mechanisms within the resume blocktype component, which is designed to allow users to display and manage their professional information and educational background within the Mahara environment.
The technical nature of this vulnerability places it firmly within the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, specifically manifesting as a reflected XSS attack vector that enables remote attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users. The unspecified attack vectors suggest that multiple entry points within the resume blocktype functionality could be exploited, potentially including user profile fields, resume section titles, or description text areas where users can input their professional details. Attackers could craft malicious payloads that would execute in the context of other users' browsers when they view affected resume content, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it fundamentally compromises the integrity of user data and session security within the Mahara platform. When exploited, the vulnerability could allow attackers to access sensitive user information, manipulate resume content to display malicious advertisements or phishing links, or even gain elevated privileges within the system if proper security measures are not in place. The resume blocktype is a core feature of Mahara's portfolio functionality, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it could affect numerous users simultaneously. The attack surface is amplified by the fact that resume content is often shared across different user groups and may be publicly accessible, creating multiple potential attack vectors for malicious actors.
Organizations utilizing Mahara systems should implement immediate remediation measures including upgrading to versions 1.0.13 or 1.1.7 and later, which contain the necessary patches to address the XSS vulnerability. Additionally, administrators should implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms for all user-generated content within the resume blocktype functionality, following the principle of least privilege and ensuring proper sanitization of all inputs before rendering them in web contexts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation in web applications, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1203 for Exploitation for Credential Access and T1566 for Phishing, as attackers could leverage this vulnerability to harvest user credentials or redirect users to malicious sites. Security teams should also consider implementing web application firewalls and content security policies to provide additional defense-in-depth measures against similar vulnerabilities in the future.