CVE-2009-4497 in LXR Cross Referencer
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in LXR Cross Referencer 0.9.5 and 0.9.6 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the i parameter to the ident program.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/04/2025
The CVE-2009-4497 vulnerability represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw in the LXR Cross Referencer version 0.9.5 and 0.9.6 web applications. This vulnerability resides in the ident program component which processes user input without proper sanitization, creating an avenue for malicious actors to execute arbitrary script code within the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability specifically targets the i parameter, which serves as an entry point for attackers to inject malicious content that gets processed and rendered without adequate validation or encoding mechanisms.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the improper handling of user-supplied input within the ident program functionality. When the i parameter is submitted to the vulnerable application, the system fails to sanitize or encode the input before incorporating it into the web response. This processing gap allows attackers to embed malicious javascript code, html tags, or other script payloads that execute in the victim's browser when they view the affected page. The vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental lack of input validation and output encoding practices that are essential for preventing XSS attacks.
Operationally, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations using the LXR Cross Referencer application, as it enables attackers to perform session hijacking, defacement of web content, data theft, and potentially more severe attacks such as credential harvesting or redirection to malicious sites. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation can occur from anywhere on the internet without requiring local access to the target system. Users who interact with the vulnerable application may unknowingly execute malicious code that can capture their session cookies, redirect them to phishing sites, or manipulate the application interface to perform unauthorized actions on their behalf.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, and follows patterns commonly referenced in ATT&CK framework under T1566 for initial access through web application attacks. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation mechanisms, proper output encoding, and employ Content Security Policy headers to mitigate such vulnerabilities. The recommended remediation includes upgrading to a patched version of the LXR Cross Referencer, implementing strict parameter validation for all user inputs, and conducting regular security assessments of web applications to identify similar injection vulnerabilities that could compromise system integrity and user security.
This vulnerability exemplifies the importance of defense-in-depth security practices and proper secure coding principles. The flaw demonstrates how seemingly minor input handling issues can create significant security risks, particularly in web applications that process user data. Organizations should establish robust security testing procedures including dynamic application security testing and static code analysis to identify such vulnerabilities before they can be exploited in production environments. The impact extends beyond immediate exploitation to potential long-term compromise of user trust and system integrity, making prompt remediation essential for maintaining secure application environments.