CVE-2009-3450 in I-Load
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in WebCoreModule.ashx in RADactive I-Load before 2008.2.5.0 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via parameters with names beginning with __ (underscore underscore) sequences, which are incompatible with an XSS protection mechanism provided by Microsoft ASP.NET.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/23/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-3450 represents a critical cross-site scripting weakness in the RADactive I-Load software version prior to 2008.2.5.0. This flaw specifically affects the WebCoreModule.ashx component which serves as a core module for processing web requests within the application. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to adequately filter user-supplied data before it is processed and rendered back to users. The attack vector exploits the way the application handles parameters that begin with double underscore sequences, which are commonly used in ASP.NET applications for internal processing but are not properly sanitized in this particular implementation.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when remote attackers submit malicious input through parameters that start with double underscores, such as __EVENTTARGET or __VIEWSTATE. These parameter names are typically reserved for ASP.NET's internal state management and view state handling mechanisms, but the RADactive I-Load application fails to properly validate or sanitize inputs that match these naming conventions. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it bypasses the built-in XSS protection mechanisms that Microsoft ASP.NET provides, effectively rendering the application's security controls ineffective against this specific attack pattern. This creates a scenario where attackers can inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML code that executes in the context of other users' browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, data theft, or further compromise of the affected systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it enables attackers to perform various malicious activities including credential theft, session manipulation, and data exfiltration. When users interact with the vulnerable application, the injected scripts execute in their browsers with the same privileges as the legitimate user, potentially allowing attackers to access sensitive information, modify data, or perform unauthorized actions on behalf of users. The vulnerability affects the core functionality of the RADactive I-Load platform, which is commonly used for document management and workflow automation in enterprise environments, making it particularly attractive to threat actors seeking persistent access to organizational systems. The bypass of Microsoft's ASP.NET XSS protection mechanisms also suggests that the vulnerability may be exploitable across multiple applications that share similar architectural patterns, potentially affecting a broader attack surface than initially apparent.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and sanitization procedures that specifically address parameter names beginning with double underscores. Organizations should immediately apply the vendor-supplied patch for RADactive I-Load version 2008.2.5.0 or later, which includes enhanced validation logic for these specific parameter sequences. Additionally, implementing proper web application firewalls and input filtering mechanisms can provide additional layers of protection. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which describes cross-site scripting flaws, and can be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for script injection attacks. Organizations should also consider implementing Content Security Policy headers to limit the execution of unauthorized scripts and establish robust monitoring for suspicious parameter patterns in web application logs. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other web applications within the organization's attack surface.