CVE-2009-4890 in vBook
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in the login application in vBook 4.2.17 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) title and (2) message parameters.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/06/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-4890 represents a critical cross-site scripting weakness within the login application of vBook version 4.2.17. This flaw exists in the authentication system's handling of user input parameters, specifically affecting the title and message fields during the login process. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data before it is processed or displayed within the web application interface. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious script code within the vulnerable parameters, which then gets executed in the context of other users' browsers when the compromised content is rendered.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications. This weakness allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users, creating a persistent threat vector that can be exploited across multiple sessions. The attack occurs when the application fails to properly escape or encode special characters in user input before rendering it in HTML output contexts. The login application's failure to implement proper input sanitization creates an environment where attackers can inject HTML tags, javascript code, or other malicious payloads through the title and message parameters, which are typically used for user feedback or notification purposes.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or session hijacking. An attacker who successfully exploits these XSS vulnerabilities can potentially perform actions on behalf of authenticated users, access sensitive information, modify data, or redirect users to malicious websites. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it targets the login application, which often contains privileged information and serves as the primary entry point for user authentication. This vulnerability enables attackers to establish persistent access to user accounts, potentially leading to complete system compromise and unauthorized data access. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation can occur from any location without requiring physical access to the target system or network.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-4890 should focus on implementing robust input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application. The most effective approach involves sanitizing all user input through proper encoding techniques such as HTML entity encoding, JavaScript escaping, and context-appropriate output filtering. Implementing a comprehensive content security policy can also provide additional protection against script execution. Organizations should also consider implementing input length restrictions, validating data types, and using secure coding practices that prevent direct injection of user-supplied content into web pages. The remediation process should include thorough code review to identify all input parameters that may be vulnerable to XSS attacks and ensure that proper sanitization occurs at every point where user data is processed or displayed. Additionally, regular security testing including automated scanning and manual penetration testing can help identify similar vulnerabilities in other parts of the application. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation and output encoding in web application security, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1566 which covers social engineering through malicious inputs, and T1059 which involves execution through scripting languages.