CVE-2009-3731 in Stage Manager
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in WebWorks Help 2.0 through 5.0 in VMware vCenter 4.0 before Update 1 Build 208156; VMware Server 2.0.2; VMware ESX 4.0; VMware Lab Manager 2.x; VMware vCenter Lab Manager 3.x and 4.x before 4.0.1; VMware Stage Manager 1.x before 4.0.1; WebWorks Publisher 6.x through 8.x; WebWorks Publisher 2003; and WebWorks ePublisher 9.0.x through 9.3, 2008.1 through 2008.4, and 2009.x before 2009.3 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via (1) wwhelp_entry.html, reachable through index.html and wwhsec.htm, (2) wwhelp/wwhimpl/api.htm, (3) wwhelp/wwhimpl/common/html/frameset.htm, (4) wwhelp/wwhimpl/common/scripts/switch.js, or (5) the window.opener component in wwhelp/wwhimpl/common/html/bookmark.htm, related to (a) unspecified parameters and (b) messages used in topic links for the bookmarking functionality.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/28/2021
This vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting multiple VMware products including vCenter 4.0, VMware Server 2.0.2, ESX 4.0, and various WebWorks publishing tools. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation and output encoding in the help system components that handle user-supplied data. Attackers can exploit this weakness by injecting malicious JavaScript code through specific parameters in help files, particularly in the wwhelp_entry.html, api.htm, frameset.htm, switch.js, and bookmark.htm files. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-79 as a failure to sanitize user input, which directly enables XSS attacks. The impact is significant as these components are accessible through standard web interfaces and can be leveraged by remote attackers without authentication.
The technical exploitation occurs through multiple vectors within the WebWorks help system architecture. The wwhelp_entry.html file, accessible through index.html and wwhsec.htm, serves as an entry point where malicious scripts can be injected into parameters. Additionally, the api.htm, frameset.htm, and switch.js files in the wwhelp/wwhimpl/common/ directory contain vulnerable code paths that fail to properly escape or validate user input. The most concerning aspect involves the window.opener component in bookmark.htm which can be manipulated to execute arbitrary scripts when users navigate through bookmarked links. This attack vector demonstrates how the vulnerability extends beyond simple parameter injection to include complex cross-domain scripting scenarios. The vulnerability affects both the web-based help systems and the underlying publishing tools, creating a wide attack surface across VMware's product ecosystem.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or session hijacking. Attackers can leverage these XSS flaws to perform persistent attacks against users of the affected systems, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability affects critical infrastructure management tools, making it particularly dangerous for enterprise environments where VMware products are widely deployed. Organizations using these versions of VMware products face risks of unauthorized access, data exfiltration, and potential lateral movement within their networks. The attack complexity is relatively low, as the vulnerability can be exploited through standard web browsing without requiring specialized tools or deep technical knowledge. This makes it particularly attractive to threat actors who can leverage the vulnerability for mass exploitation campaigns. The presence of these flaws in both the core VMware infrastructure products and the associated publishing tools creates a cascading risk that affects multiple layers of an organization's IT infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patching of all affected VMware products to version 4.0.1 or later where the vulnerability has been resolved. Organizations should also implement network-level protections such as web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious script injection attempts. Input validation should be strengthened across all web interfaces, particularly those handling user-supplied data in help system components. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for initial access through malicious web content, and T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter through scriptlets. Regular security assessments should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other legacy systems, as this attack pattern demonstrates how older web technologies can remain vulnerable to modern exploitation techniques. Organizations should also consider implementing content security policies and disabling unnecessary help system components when they are not actively required. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of regular security updates and the risks associated with maintaining legacy systems that may contain unpatched security flaws.