CVE-2009-4649 in geccBBlite
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in geccBBlite 0.1 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the postatoda parameter to (1) rispondi.php and (2) scrivi.php, which is not properly handled in forum.php.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/01/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-4649 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the geccBBlite 0.1 forum software, specifically targeting the rispondi.php and scrivi.php components. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly handle user-supplied data, creating an avenue for malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts within the context of legitimate user sessions. The affected parameters, particularly the postatoda parameter, are directly processed and reflected in the forum.php script without appropriate security measures, making the entire platform susceptible to persistent XSS attacks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability operates through the manipulation of HTTP request parameters that are subsequently rendered in the web application's output without proper encoding or sanitization. When an attacker crafts a malicious payload and submits it through the postatoda parameter in either rispondi.php or scrivi.php, the application fails to validate or escape the input before incorporating it into the HTML response. This allows the attacker to inject malicious JavaScript code or HTML content that executes in the browsers of unsuspecting users who view the affected forum posts. The vulnerability manifests as a persistent XSS condition, meaning that once the malicious content is posted, it remains active until manually removed, continuously affecting all users who encounter the compromised content.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as it provides attackers with the capability to hijack user sessions, steal sensitive information, and potentially gain unauthorized access to the forum's administrative functions. According to CWE-79, this vulnerability directly maps to the Common Weakness Enumeration for Cross-site Scripting, which classifies it as a critical security flaw that can lead to complete compromise of user sessions and data integrity. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that forum platforms typically contain sensitive user information, personal communications, and potentially confidential discussions that could be exploited for social engineering or identity theft purposes.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing robust input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application's data flow. The recommended approach includes implementing proper parameter sanitization before any user input is processed or stored, utilizing HTML entity encoding for all dynamic content, and implementing Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution. Additionally, the application should employ proper input validation techniques that reject or sanitize any potentially malicious content before it is processed by the forum.php component. Security practitioners should also consider implementing Web Application Firewall rules to detect and block suspicious parameter values, while following ATT&CK framework T1566.001 for credential access through phishing and social engineering techniques that could be amplified by this vulnerability. Regular security audits and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar input handling issues that could present additional attack vectors within the application's architecture.