CVE-2009-4852 in SemanticScuttle
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in SemanticScuttle before 0.94.1 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the sort parameter to index.php, and other unspecified vectors, a different issue than CVE-2008-6113. NOTE: some of these details are obtained from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/30/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2009-4852 represents a critical cross-site scripting vulnerability affecting SemanticScuttle versions prior to 0.94.1. This web application serves as a bookmark management system that allows users to store, organize, and share their favorite web resources. The flaw resides in the application's improper handling of user input, specifically within the sort parameter of the index.php script, which creates an avenue for malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code in the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability demonstrates characteristics consistent with CWE-79 - Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, which is a fundamental weakness in web application security that enables attackers to inject malicious content into web pages viewed by other users.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious URL containing crafted script code within the sort parameter of the index.php endpoint. When a victim accesses this specially crafted URL, the malicious script executes within the victim's browser session, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or unauthorized actions performed on behalf of the victim. The vulnerability extends beyond just the sort parameter to include other unspecified vectors, indicating a broader input validation failure within the application's processing logic. This pattern of vulnerability is particularly concerning as it suggests that the application lacks comprehensive input sanitization mechanisms, making it susceptible to various forms of injection attacks that could compromise user data and application integrity.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution to potentially compromise the entire user base of the SemanticScuttle application. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent malicious presence within the application, modify user bookmarks, redirect users to malicious sites, or harvest sensitive information from authenticated sessions. The vulnerability affects not only individual users but also the overall security posture of organizations that rely on this bookmark management system for collaborative work environments. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 - Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment, where attackers can use XSS to deliver malicious payloads that appear legitimate to users within the application context, making detection and mitigation more challenging.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-4852 require immediate implementation of input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application. The most effective approach involves implementing strict parameter validation for all user-supplied inputs, particularly those used in dynamic content generation. The application should employ proper HTML escaping and context-aware encoding techniques before rendering any user-provided data in web pages. Security measures should include implementing Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution, utilizing parameterized queries for database interactions, and conducting regular security testing including dynamic application security testing and manual code reviews. Additionally, organizations should ensure that SemanticScuttle is updated to version 0.94.1 or later, where the vulnerability has been addressed through proper input sanitization and validation procedures. The remediation process should also include user education regarding the risks of clicking suspicious links and the importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions.