CVE-2009-4714 in XOOPS Celepar
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the quiz module for XOOPS Celepar allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the PATH_INFO to cadastro_usuario.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/02/2026
The CVE-2009-4714 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the quiz module of XOOPS Celepar, a widely used content management system. This vulnerability resides in the handling of user input through the PATH_INFO parameter, specifically when processing requests to the cadastro_usuario.php script. The flaw demonstrates a classic XSS attack vector that enables malicious actors to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content into the application's response, potentially compromising user sessions and data integrity. The vulnerability affects the quiz module's user registration functionality, making it particularly dangerous as it targets the user authentication and data entry processes.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output sanitization within the XOOPS Celepar framework. When the application processes the PATH_INFO parameter without proper sanitization, it fails to escape or encode special characters that could be interpreted as HTML or JavaScript code. This allows attackers to craft malicious URLs containing script payloads that execute in the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability is classified as a reflected XSS attack since the malicious script is reflected back to users through the application's response. According to CWE-79, this represents a classic weakness in input validation and output encoding, where the application fails to properly sanitize user-supplied data before incorporating it into dynamically generated content.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, creating potential pathways for session hijacking, credential theft, and data manipulation. An attacker could craft malicious links that, when clicked by authenticated users, would execute scripts to steal session cookies or redirect users to phishing sites. The vulnerability particularly affects users who interact with the quiz module's user registration system, making it a prime target for social engineering attacks. Additionally, the flaw could enable attackers to modify quiz results or user data, potentially compromising the integrity of educational assessments and user information. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1531, which involves the use of malicious scripts to gain unauthorized access to user sessions and sensitive data.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-4714 require immediate implementation of input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the XOOPS Celepar framework. Organizations should implement proper sanitization of all user-supplied input, particularly parameters passed through PATH_INFO, using established encoding techniques such as HTML entity encoding for output rendering. The application should enforce strict input validation to reject or sanitize any input containing potentially dangerous characters or script tags. Security patches should be applied immediately to update the quiz module and ensure proper parameter handling. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy headers can provide an additional layer of protection against XSS attacks by restricting the sources from which scripts can be executed. Regular security auditing of web applications and input validation mechanisms remains essential for preventing similar vulnerabilities from emerging in the future.