CVE-2009-3701 in Application Framework
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in the administration interface in Horde Application Framework before 3.3.6, Horde Groupware before 1.2.5, and Horde Groupware Webmail Edition before 1.2.5 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the PATH_INFO to (1) phpshell.php, (2) cmdshell.php, or (3) sqlshell.php in admin/, related to the PHP_SELF variable.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/01/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-3701 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting multiple components of the Horde Application Framework ecosystem. This security weakness exists in versions prior to 3.3.6 for the core framework, 1.2.5 for Horde Groupware, and 1.2.5 for Horde Groupware Webmail Edition, creating a widespread exposure across various web-based email and collaboration platforms. The flaw specifically targets the administration interface components that handle shell functionality, making it particularly dangerous for system administrators who frequently access these tools. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to adequately filter user-supplied data before rendering it in web responses, creating an avenue for malicious actors to execute arbitrary scripts within the context of authenticated users' browsers.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through manipulation of the PATH_INFO parameter when accessing specific administrative PHP scripts including phpshell.php, cmdshell.php, and sqlshell.php located within the admin/ directory of affected installations. These scripts utilize the PHP_SELF variable to determine the current script's path, but fail to properly sanitize this input before incorporating it into HTML output. Attackers can craft malicious URLs that inject script code into the PATH_INFO parameter, which then gets rendered in the web interface without proper escaping or encoding. This allows for the execution of malicious JavaScript code in the context of the victim's browser session, potentially leading to complete compromise of user sessions, data theft, or privilege escalation within the application environment.
The operational impact of CVE-2009-3701 extends beyond simple script injection, as it provides attackers with the capability to perform session hijacking, steal authentication tokens, and potentially escalate privileges within the affected systems. Since these vulnerabilities target administration interfaces, successful exploitation could enable attackers to gain elevated access to system configuration settings, user account management, and other sensitive administrative functions. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses Cross-site Scripting flaws in web applications, and demonstrates the critical nature of input validation in web security contexts. From an ATT&CK perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving credential access and privilege escalation through web application exploitation, potentially enabling adversaries to move laterally within compromised environments. The exposure affects organizations using Horde-based platforms for email services, collaboration tools, and webmail solutions, making it particularly concerning for enterprises and service providers relying on these open-source frameworks.
Organizations should prioritize immediate remediation by upgrading to versions 3.3.6 or later for the Horde Application Framework, 1.2.5 or later for Horde Groupware, and 1.2.5 or later for Horde Groupware Webmail Edition. The mitigation strategy should include comprehensive input validation implementation across all administrative interfaces, proper HTML escaping of dynamic content, and regular security audits of web applications. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and content security policies can provide additional layers of protection against similar vulnerabilities. Security teams should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify any other potentially affected components within their infrastructure that might be using vulnerable versions of the Horde framework, and establish monitoring procedures to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing robust input sanitization practices in web applications, particularly those handling sensitive administrative functions.