CVE-2009-4539 in SQLiteManager
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in main.php in SQLiteManager 1.2.0 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the redirect parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/03/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-4539 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within SQLiteManager version 1.2.0, specifically affecting the main.php script. This vulnerability resides in the application's handling of user-supplied input through the redirect parameter, creating a pathway for malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of other users' browsers. The flaw demonstrates a classic XSS vulnerability pattern where improperly sanitized input is directly embedded into web responses without adequate validation or encoding mechanisms.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious URL containing crafted script code within the redirect parameter of the main.php endpoint. When a victim clicks such a link, the malicious payload executes in the victim's browser within the context of the vulnerable application, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or unauthorized actions performed on behalf of the user. The vulnerability specifically affects the redirect parameter processing, indicating that the application fails to properly sanitize or encode user input before incorporating it into the HTTP response. This represents a fundamental failure in input validation and output encoding practices that aligns with CWE-79, which categorizes cross-site scripting as a weakness in input validation and output encoding.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations utilizing SQLiteManager 1.2.0 for database administration tasks. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation can occur without requiring local access to the system, making it particularly dangerous in environments where database administrators may be targeted through phishing campaigns or compromised web links. The attack vector typically involves social engineering techniques where attackers craft convincing malicious URLs that appear legitimate to unsuspecting users. Once executed, the malicious scripts can access cookies, session tokens, and other sensitive information stored in the browser, potentially leading to complete compromise of user sessions and unauthorized database access. This vulnerability directly impacts the principle of least privilege and can enable attackers to escalate their privileges within the database management environment.
The mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-4539 should focus on implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application. Organizations should immediately upgrade to a patched version of SQLiteManager, as the vulnerability affects a specific version that likely contains the flawed redirect parameter handling code. The remediation process involves implementing strict input validation to reject or sanitize any input containing potentially malicious script code, combined with proper output encoding when rendering user-supplied data in web responses. Security measures should include the implementation of Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution, input sanitization routines that strip or encode dangerous characters, and regular security testing including automated scanning and manual penetration testing. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of following secure coding practices as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and the ATT&CK framework, particularly in the context of web application security and user input handling. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring systems to detect and prevent exploitation attempts, as the vulnerability can be leveraged in various attack scenarios including credential harvesting and session manipulation.