CVE-2009-4596 in PHP Inventory
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in index.php in PHP Inventory 1.2 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the sup_id parameter in a suppliers details action.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/29/2025
The CVE-2009-4596 vulnerability represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw in the PHP Inventory 1.2 web application that exposes users to potential malicious code execution. This vulnerability specifically affects the index.php file and manifests when processing the sup_id parameter within the suppliers details action, creating a pathway for remote attackers to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content into the application's response. The flaw resides in the application's insufficient input validation and output sanitization mechanisms, allowing malicious payloads to bypass security controls and execute within the context of legitimate user sessions.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows the standard XSS attack pattern where an attacker crafts a malicious URL containing script code within the sup_id parameter and delivers it to unsuspecting users through various social engineering methods or compromised web pages. When a victim clicks the malicious link or visits a page containing the injected payload, the script executes in their browser session, potentially stealing session cookies, redirecting to malicious sites, or performing unauthorized actions on behalf of the user. This vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for Phishing and T1566.002 for Spearphishing via Service for initial access vectors.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to establish persistent access to the application environment and potentially escalate privileges within the system. Attackers can leverage this flaw to create backdoors, harvest sensitive user information, or manipulate the application's functionality to serve their malicious purposes. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of the application's data, particularly concerning supplier information that may contain sensitive business details. Organizations using PHP Inventory 1.2 without proper input validation measures face significant risk of data compromise and potential system infiltration through this vector.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-4596 should include immediate implementation of proper input validation and output encoding techniques to prevent malicious script injection. The application should sanitize all user-supplied input parameters including the sup_id parameter, implementing strict validation rules that reject or escape potentially dangerous characters. Organizations should deploy web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious input patterns, while also ensuring regular security updates and patches are applied to the PHP Inventory application. The remediation approach must follow secure coding practices as outlined in OWASP Top 10 and should include thorough input validation, output encoding, and proper parameter handling to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in other application components. Additionally, security awareness training for developers and administrators can help prevent such flaws in future application development cycles and improve overall security posture.