CVE-2009-4040 in phpMyFAQ
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in phpMyFAQ before 2.0.17 and 2.5.x before 2.5.2, when used with Internet Explorer 6 or 7, allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified parameters to the search page.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/23/2019
The CVE-2009-4040 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting phpMyFAQ versions prior to 2.0.17 and 2.5.x versions before 2.5.2. This vulnerability specifically targets users utilizing Internet Explorer 6 or 7 browsers, creating a significant attack surface that leverages the browser-specific rendering behaviors of these outdated platforms. The vulnerability manifests through unspecified parameters within the search functionality of phpMyFAQ, making it particularly insidious as attackers can exploit this weakness without requiring specific knowledge of the exact parameter names or structure.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of search parameters that are not properly sanitized or validated before being rendered back to the user's browser. When phpMyFAQ processes search queries in Internet Explorer 6 or 7, the application fails to adequately filter or escape user-supplied input, allowing malicious scripts to be injected into the search results page. This creates a persistent XSS vector that can execute arbitrary JavaScript code within the context of the victim's browser session, potentially leading to complete session hijacking or unauthorized administrative actions.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses severe risks to database administrators and users who rely on phpMyFAQ for database management tasks. The attack can be executed remotely without requiring any authentication credentials, making it particularly dangerous for publicly accessible phpMyFAQ installations. The impact extends beyond simple script execution as attackers can leverage this vulnerability to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or even perform administrative actions if the victim has elevated privileges. The fact that this vulnerability specifically affects older Internet Explorer versions adds to its operational significance, as these browsers were still widely used in enterprise environments during the affected time period.
Security professionals should note that this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting weaknesses in web applications. The attack pattern follows typical XSS exploitation methodologies as documented in MITRE ATT&CK framework under the technique of T1059.1001 for command and scripting interpreter and T1566.001 for spearphishing attachments or links. Organizations should implement immediate mitigation strategies including updating to patched versions of phpMyFAQ, implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms, and considering browser compatibility restrictions for legacy systems. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date web applications and the risks associated with supporting outdated browser versions that may contain known security flaws.