CVE-2009-4885 in phpCom
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in templates/1/login.php in phpCommunity 2 2.1.8 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the msg parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/24/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-4885 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the phpCommunity 2 2.1.8 web application framework. This issue specifically affects the login template file located at templates/1/login.php, where user input is not properly sanitized before being rendered back to the browser. The vulnerability manifests through the msg parameter, which serves as an injection vector for malicious scripts or HTML content. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting specially formatted URLs containing malicious payloads in the msg parameter, which are then executed in the context of other users' browsers when they access the vulnerable page. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is one of the most prevalent and dangerous web application security flaws according to the CWE database.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs because the application fails to implement proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms for user-supplied data. When the msg parameter is processed and displayed without adequate sanitization, any HTML or JavaScript code embedded within it becomes executable within the victim's browser context. This creates a persistent threat where authenticated users who visit the compromised login page will have the malicious code executed in their browser sessions, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or other malicious activities. The vulnerability's impact is particularly concerning in web applications where user authentication and session management are critical components, as it can be leveraged to bypass authentication mechanisms and gain unauthorized access to user accounts.
The operational implications of this vulnerability extend beyond simple script execution, as it can be combined with other attack vectors to create more sophisticated threats. An attacker could craft malicious messages that redirect users to phishing sites, steal session cookies, or inject additional malicious payloads that persist in the application's user interface. The attack surface is further expanded because the vulnerability affects the login template, which is likely accessed by many users during authentication processes, making it a high-value target for exploitation. According to ATT&CK framework categorization, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007 for Scripting and T1531 for Account Access Removal, as it enables attackers to manipulate user sessions and potentially compromise account integrity. The vulnerability also aligns with the broader category of T1213.002 for Credentials in Files, as compromised sessions could lead to credential exposure.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term security hardening measures. The primary fix involves implementing proper input validation and output encoding for all user-supplied parameters, particularly those used in template rendering contexts. This includes sanitizing the msg parameter through HTML entity encoding before displaying it in the login template, ensuring that any potentially malicious content is rendered harmless. Security headers such as Content Security Policy should be implemented to provide additional protection against script injection attacks. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive code reviews to identify similar vulnerabilities in other template files and input handling mechanisms. The remediation process should follow secure coding practices as outlined in OWASP Top 10 and the CERT Secure Coding Standards, particularly focusing on preventing XSS through proper input sanitization and output encoding. Regular security testing including dynamic application security testing and manual penetration testing should be implemented to detect similar vulnerabilities in other application components and ensure ongoing protection against evolving attack vectors.