CVE-2009-4562 in ZenPhoto
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in zp-core/admin.php in Zenphoto 1.2.5 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the from parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/04/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-4562 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the Zenphoto content management system version 1.2.5. This issue resides in the admin.php file and specifically affects the handling of user input through the 'from' parameter, creating a significant security risk for administrators and users who interact with the system's administrative interface. The vulnerability demonstrates a failure in input validation and output encoding practices that are fundamental to preventing malicious code execution in web applications.
The technical nature of this flaw stems from improper sanitization of user-supplied data within the administrative section of Zenphoto. When the 'from' parameter is processed without adequate validation or encoding, malicious actors can inject arbitrary HTML or JavaScript code that gets executed in the context of other users' browsers. This occurs because the application fails to properly escape special characters or validate the input against a whitelist of acceptable values. The vulnerability classifies under CWE-79 which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws where untrusted data is improperly incorporated into web pages served to users. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it targets the administrative interface, potentially allowing attackers to escalate privileges or gain unauthorized access to sensitive system functions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or defacement. An attacker who successfully exploits this XSS flaw could potentially hijack administrator sessions, execute malicious commands with elevated privileges, or manipulate the administrative interface to modify system settings. The implications are severe because the vulnerability exists within the administrative component, which typically has the highest level of access and control over the entire system. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, where attackers can leverage XSS to execute arbitrary code in the browser context of authenticated users. The vulnerability also relates to T1566.001 for Phishing, as attackers could craft malicious payloads that appear legitimate to administrators, leading to unauthorized access to sensitive system information.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing robust input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application. The most effective immediate fix involves sanitizing all user-supplied input, particularly parameters used in administrative contexts, by employing proper HTML escaping techniques and implementing strict input validation that rejects potentially malicious content. Organizations should also consider implementing Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to limit the execution of inline scripts and reduce the impact of successful XSS attacks. Regular security audits and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other parameters and components of the application. Additionally, upgrading to a patched version of Zenphoto that addresses this specific vulnerability is essential, as the vulnerability was likely resolved in subsequent releases through proper input sanitization and validation procedures. The remediation process should also include comprehensive security training for developers to prevent similar issues in future code development cycles, emphasizing the importance of proper input validation and output encoding practices in web application development.