CVE-2009-4249 in CuteNews
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in CutePHP CuteNews 1.4.6, when register_globals is enabled and magic_quotes_gpc is disabled, allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) lastusername and (2) mod parameters to index.php; and (3) the title parameter to search.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/31/2025
The CVE-2009-4249 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in CutePHP CuteNews version 1.4.6 that exploits specific server configuration conditions to enable remote code execution through web script injection. This vulnerability specifically targets the interaction between PHP's register_globals directive and magic_quotes_gpc setting, creating a dangerous environment where user input is not properly sanitized before being processed and displayed. The flaw exists in the core handling of user-supplied parameters within the news management system's web interface, making it particularly dangerous for websites that operate with insecure PHP configurations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the improper handling of HTTP GET parameters in two distinct files within the CuteNews application. The first set of vulnerable parameters, lastusername and mod, are processed in the index.php file where user input flows directly into the web page output without appropriate sanitization or encoding mechanisms. The second vulnerable parameter, title, operates within the search.php file using identical insecure practices. These parameters are processed under conditions where register_globals is enabled, which automatically creates PHP variables from HTTP request data, and magic_quotes_gpc is disabled, which prevents the automatic escaping of special characters in GET, POST, and COOKIE data. This combination creates a perfect storm for XSS exploitation as user input bypasses all standard sanitization checks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple script injection, as it provides attackers with the capability to execute arbitrary web scripts in the context of authenticated users' browsers. This enables a wide range of malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, defacement of the news content, and potential redirection to malicious sites. Attackers can craft malicious payloads that exploit the vulnerability to steal cookies, manipulate user sessions, or even escalate privileges within the application if the user has administrative access. The vulnerability affects the core functionality of the news management system, potentially compromising the entire website's integrity and user trust. According to CWE-79, this vulnerability falls under the category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is classified as a critical security weakness that allows attackers to inject client-side scripts into web pages viewed by other users.
The exploitation of CVE-2009-4249 aligns with several tactics outlined in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly those related to initial access and privilege escalation through web application vulnerabilities. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability as part of a broader attack chain that may include credential harvesting, session manipulation, and eventual system compromise. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that it requires minimal user interaction to exploit, as the malicious scripts execute automatically when users view affected pages. Organizations running CuteNews 1.4.6 with insecure PHP configurations face significant risk of unauthorized access, data breaches, and potential full system compromise. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and the dangerous consequences of legacy PHP configurations that disable essential security features.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate attention to both the software and server configuration levels. The most effective immediate solution involves upgrading to a newer version of CuteNews that properly sanitizes all user input and implements secure coding practices. Additionally, administrators should disable register_globals and enable magic_quotes_gpc on all affected systems, though the latter approach is considered outdated and insufficient for modern security requirements. Implementing proper input validation, output encoding, and Content Security Policy headers can provide additional layers of protection. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive security audits of their web applications to identify similar vulnerabilities in other legacy systems, as this vulnerability represents a common pattern in older PHP applications that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data before rendering it in web pages. The vulnerability serves as a stark reminder of the importance of maintaining current software versions and implementing proper security configurations to prevent exploitation of known weaknesses.