CVE-2009-4237 in TestLink
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in TestLink before 1.8.5 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via (1) the req parameter to login.php, and allow remote authenticated users to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via (2) the key parameter to lib/general/staticPage.php, (3) the tableName parameter to lib/attachments/attachmentupload.php, or the (4) startDate, (5) endDate, or (6) logLevel parameter to lib/events/eventviewer.php; (7) the search_notes_string parameter to lib/results/resultsMoreBuilds_buildReport.php; or the (8) expected_results, (9) name, (10) steps, or (11) summary parameter in a find action to lib/testcases/searchData.php, related to lib/functions/database.class.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/06/2025
The CVE-2009-4237 vulnerability represents a significant cross-site scripting flaw in the TestLink test management system prior to version 1.8.5, exposing multiple attack vectors that could enable remote code execution through malicious web script injection. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, specifically targeting the application's failure to properly sanitize user input across various endpoints within the TestLink framework. The vulnerability affects the core authentication and administrative functionalities of the system, creating a dangerous attack surface that could be exploited by both unauthenticated and authenticated users.
The technical flaw manifests through insufficient input validation and output encoding across multiple PHP scripts within the TestLink application. Attackers can exploit the vulnerability through the req parameter in login.php to inject malicious scripts during the authentication process, potentially capturing credentials or redirecting users to malicious sites. The vulnerability extends to authenticated users who can inject malicious code through the key parameter in staticPage.php, allowing them to manipulate the application's static content display. Additionally, the attachment upload functionality in attachmentupload.php accepts malicious input through the tableName parameter, while event viewer components in eventviewer.php are vulnerable through startDate, endDate, or logLevel parameters. The search functionality in resultsMoreBuilds_buildReport.php and the test case management in searchData.php present further attack vectors through search_notes_string, expected_results, name, steps, and summary parameters, all of which lack proper sanitization.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is substantial as it allows attackers to execute arbitrary web scripts in the context of authenticated users, potentially leading to session hijacking, privilege escalation, and complete system compromise. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of test management data, as malicious actors could inject persistent scripts that would execute whenever users access vulnerable pages. This creates a persistent threat where attackers can maintain access to the system over time, potentially exfiltrating sensitive test data, manipulating test results, or using the compromised system as a pivot point for attacking other systems within the network. The vulnerability's presence in core administrative functions like event viewing and test case management makes it particularly dangerous for organizations relying on TestLink for critical software testing operations.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate patching to version 1.8.5 or later, which addresses all identified XSS vectors through proper input sanitization and output encoding. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation at all entry points, particularly focusing on the identified parameters across multiple PHP scripts. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide additional defense-in-depth against script injection attacks. Regular security assessments should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components, with particular attention to database interaction functions that handle user-provided data. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect suspicious patterns in user agent strings and request parameters that might indicate XSS attack attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and output encoding practices, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1203 for Exploitation for Credential Access and T1566 for Phishing, as attackers could use the vulnerability to harvest credentials or manipulate test results to mask security incidents.