CVE-2009-4078 in Redmine
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in Redmine 0.8.5 and earlier allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/23/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-4078 represents a critical security flaw in Redmine version 0.8.5 and earlier systems, specifically targeting cross-site scripting vulnerabilities that enable remote attackers to execute malicious code within user browsers. This issue falls under the broader category of web application security weaknesses that have been extensively documented in the cybersecurity community. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the Redmine application's codebase, creating pathways for malicious actors to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content into the application's user interface. These vulnerabilities are particularly concerning because they affect a widely used project management and issue tracking platform that organizations rely upon for collaborative development environments.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a failure in proper sanitization of user inputs across multiple application components within Redmine's architecture. Attackers can exploit these unspecified vectors to inject malicious payloads that execute within the context of other users' browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, data theft, or unauthorized access to sensitive project information. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws in software applications, and represents a fundamental weakness in the application's defense-in-depth strategy. The lack of comprehensive input validation means that user-supplied data is not properly escaped or encoded before being rendered in web pages, creating persistent XSS attack surfaces throughout the application's functionality.
The operational impact of CVE-2009-4078 extends beyond simple data corruption or display issues, as it fundamentally compromises the security posture of organizations using vulnerable Redmine installations. When exploited, these vulnerabilities can enable attackers to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious websites, or inject persistent malware that maintains access to the application environment. The implications are particularly severe for development teams that use Redmine for tracking sensitive project information, managing access controls, and coordinating confidential development activities. Organizations may experience unauthorized access to source code repositories, modification of project timelines, or exposure of proprietary information, all while the attack remains undetected within the application's normal operational boundaries. This vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059, which covers the execution of malicious code through web-based attack vectors.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-4078 require immediate implementation of comprehensive input validation and output encoding measures throughout the Redmine application. Organizations should prioritize upgrading to Redmine versions 0.9.0 and later, which contain the necessary patches addressing these XSS vulnerabilities. Additionally, implementing proper Content Security Policy headers, employing input sanitization libraries, and conducting regular security code reviews can significantly reduce the risk of exploitation. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems may provide additional layers of defense, though these should not replace proper application-level fixes. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions and implementing robust security practices in collaborative development environments where multiple users interact with shared platforms.