CVE-2009-3755 in phpBMS
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in phpBMS 0.96 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the PATH_INFO to (1) index.php and (2) modules\base\myaccount.php; and the PATH_INFO to (3) modules_view.php, (4) tabledefs_options.php, and (5) adminsettings.php in phpbms\modules\base\.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/03/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-3755 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting phpBMS version 0.96, a web-based business management system. This vulnerability resides in the application's handling of PATH_INFO parameters, which are HTTP server variables containing additional path information beyond the initial request URI. The flaw allows remote attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users, creating a persistent security risk that can be exploited across multiple modules within the application.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output sanitization within the phpBMS framework. When the application processes PATH_INFO parameters through the affected files including index.php, modules/base/myaccount.php, modules_view.php, tabledefs_options.php, and adminsettings.php, it fails to properly escape or validate user-supplied data before incorporating it into dynamic web content. This improper handling creates an environment where malicious actors can craft specially crafted URLs containing script tags or malicious HTML code that gets executed in the context of other users' browsers.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to perform session hijacking, steal sensitive user credentials, redirect users to malicious websites, or even execute arbitrary commands on affected systems. The vulnerability affects multiple core modules of the application, amplifying its potential impact across the entire phpBMS installation. Attackers can exploit this weakness without requiring authentication, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged by anyone who can access the vulnerable application.
Security professionals should note this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for initial access through malicious web content. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation practices and highlights the importance of implementing comprehensive output encoding mechanisms. Organizations should immediately implement patches or upgrades to phpBMS 0.96, as well as deploy web application firewalls to monitor and block malicious PATH_INFO parameters. Additionally, security teams should conduct thorough code reviews to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications and establish proper input validation protocols that prevent such issues from recurring in future development cycles.