CVE-2009-4348 in HB-NS
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in index.php in Harold Bakker s NewsScript (HB-NS) 1.3 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the topic parameter in a topic action, a different vector than CVE-2006-2146.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/25/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-4348 represents a cross-site scripting flaw within Harold Bakker's NewsScript (HB-NS) version 1.3, specifically affecting the index.php script when processing the topic parameter during topic actions. This represents a significant security weakness that enables remote attackers to execute malicious web scripts or HTML content within the context of affected web applications. The vulnerability operates through the manipulation of user input parameters without proper sanitization or validation, creating an avenue for persistent malicious code execution.
This XSS vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is classified as a critical web application security flaw that allows attackers to inject client-side scripts into web pages viewed by other users. The specific vector involves the topic parameter in the topic action context, distinguishing it from the previously identified CVE-2006-2146 which involved different attack pathways. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation practices where the application fails to properly sanitize user-supplied data before incorporating it into dynamic web page content, creating an environment where malicious scripts can be executed in the browsers of unsuspecting users.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to perform session hijacking, steal user credentials, manipulate web page content, and potentially redirect users to malicious sites. When exploited, the vulnerability allows threat actors to execute arbitrary code within the victim's browser context, potentially leading to complete compromise of user sessions and unauthorized access to sensitive information. The persistence of this vulnerability in the NewsScript application highlights inadequate security testing and input validation mechanisms within the software development lifecycle, creating a persistent threat vector for attackers targeting web applications built on this platform.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate implementation of proper input sanitization and output encoding mechanisms to prevent malicious script injection. Organizations should implement comprehensive parameter validation that strips or encodes dangerous characters before processing user input, while also employing Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution. The vulnerability underscores the importance of regular security assessments and input validation testing, aligning with ATT&CK framework techniques that emphasize command and control through web application exploitation. Additionally, developers should adopt secure coding practices that follow OWASP Top Ten guidelines for preventing XSS vulnerabilities, including proper HTML encoding of output data and implementing proper sanitization routines for all user-supplied parameters.