CVE-2009-3444 in e107
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in email.php in e107 0.7.16 and earlier allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the HTTP Referer header in a news.1 (aka news to email) action.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/24/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-3444 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the e107 content management system version 0.7.16 and earlier. This issue specifically targets the email.php script which handles the news to email functionality, allowing malicious actors to exploit a weakness in the HTTP Referer header processing. The vulnerability falls under the category of CWE-79 Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, which is a fundamental web application security weakness that enables attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through manipulation of the HTTP Referer header during the news.1 action process, which is designed to allow users to send news items via email. When the system processes this header without proper sanitization, it creates an environment where attacker-controlled content can be injected into the email generation process. This flaw enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of other users' browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or further exploitation of the affected system. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic input validation failure where user-supplied data from the Referer header is directly incorporated into dynamically generated web content without adequate security measures.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can facilitate more sophisticated attacks within the target environment. Attackers can leverage this weakness to create persistent XSS payloads that remain active for extended periods, potentially compromising user sessions or redirecting victims to malicious sites. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires minimal user interaction beyond accessing the news to email functionality, making it an attractive target for automated exploitation. This vulnerability affects the integrity of the entire e107 system, potentially compromising the trust relationship between the application and its users, and could lead to data breaches or unauthorized access to sensitive information within the CMS environment.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement mitigation strategies including input sanitization of the HTTP Referer header, deployment of web application firewalls, and comprehensive patching of the e107 CMS to version 0.7.17 or later. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide additional protection against XSS attacks, while regular security audits of web applications should include thorough validation of all HTTP headers. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for initial access through spearphishing attachments and T1059.001 for command and control through script injection, making it a significant concern for cybersecurity teams implementing comprehensive threat detection and response strategies. The remediation process should also include user education regarding suspicious email content and the importance of keeping CMS installations updated to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities.