CVE-2009-4069 in GForge
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in GForge 4.5.14, 4.7.3, and possibly other versions allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/28/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-4069 represents a critical security flaw in GForge version 4.5.14, 4.7.3, and potentially other releases, manifesting as multiple cross-site scripting vulnerabilities that enable remote attackers to execute malicious web scripts or HTML code within the context of affected systems. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of injection flaws and specifically aligns with CWE-79, which describes improper neutralization of input during web page generation, commonly known as cross-site scripting. The vulnerability exists due to insufficient validation and sanitization of user-supplied input that is subsequently rendered in web pages without proper encoding or filtering mechanisms.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when attackers can inject malicious scripts into web applications that are then executed in the browsers of other users who access the compromised pages. These XSS vulnerabilities in GForge can be leveraged through unspecified vectors, suggesting that multiple entry points within the application's codebase may be susceptible to such attacks. The impact of these vulnerabilities extends beyond simple script execution, as they can potentially enable session hijacking, credential theft, and the redirection of users to malicious websites. The vulnerability's classification as remote indicates that attackers do not require physical access or local privileges to exploit these weaknesses, making them particularly dangerous in web-based environments.
The operational impact of CVE-2009-4069 is significant for organizations utilizing affected GForge versions, as successful exploitation can lead to complete compromise of user sessions and potential data breaches. Attackers can leverage these vulnerabilities to steal cookies, session tokens, and other sensitive information that users may have in their browsers. The attack surface is broad since XSS vulnerabilities typically affect all user interactions with web applications, potentially allowing attackers to modify web page content, redirect users to phishing sites, or even perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. This vulnerability directly maps to several tactics in the ATT&CK framework under the T1566 category, specifically targeting the initial access phase through credential access and privilege escalation via web application exploitation.
Organizations using affected GForge versions should implement immediate mitigations including input validation and output encoding for all user-supplied data, proper implementation of Content Security Policy headers, and regular security audits of web applications. The remediation strategy should involve upgrading to patched versions of GForge, applying security patches from the vendor, and implementing comprehensive web application firewalls to detect and prevent XSS attacks. Additionally, developers should follow secure coding practices that prevent XSS vulnerabilities by implementing proper input sanitization, using context-appropriate output encoding, and employing modern web application frameworks that provide built-in protection against such injection attacks. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of maintaining current security patches and conducting regular vulnerability assessments to prevent exploitation of known weaknesses in web applications.