CVE-2009-3360 in Datemill
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in Datemill 1.0 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) return parameter to photo_view.php, and st parameter to (2) photo_search.php and (3) search.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/02/2025
The CVE-2009-3360 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting Datemill 1.0, a web-based photo management application. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the application's parameter handling mechanisms, specifically targeting three distinct endpoints that process user-supplied data without proper security controls. The vulnerability classifies under CWE-79 as a failure to sanitize input, making it susceptible to malicious script injection attacks that can compromise user sessions and data integrity.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through three primary attack vectors that all share the common weakness of insufficient parameter validation. The first vector targets the return parameter in photo_view.php, while the second and third vectors exploit the st parameter in both photo_search.php and search.php. These endpoints accept user input directly from HTTP request parameters and incorporate them into dynamic web content without proper HTML escaping or sanitization. Attackers can craft malicious payloads containing JavaScript code or HTML tags that execute within the context of other users' browsers when they access the affected pages.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, creating significant security risks for users of the Datemill application. When exploited, these XSS vulnerabilities enable attackers to steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of victims, redirect users to malicious websites, or even deface the application's content. The attack surface is particularly concerning as it affects core search and viewing functionality that users regularly access, increasing the likelihood of successful exploitation. This vulnerability directly violates security principles outlined in the OWASP Top Ten 2004 and 2007 categories related to cross-site scripting, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for initial access through malicious web content.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-3360 must focus on implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms across all affected endpoints. Organizations should immediately apply the vendor-supplied patches or upgrade to a newer version of Datemill that addresses these vulnerabilities. The recommended approach involves sanitizing all user-supplied input parameters before incorporating them into web page content, implementing proper HTML escaping for dynamic content generation, and establishing a comprehensive input validation framework. Additionally, security headers such as Content Security Policy should be implemented to provide additional protection against XSS attacks, and regular security assessments should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation as a fundamental security control, reinforcing the principles of secure coding practices and the necessity of defense-in-depth strategies in web application security.