CVE-2009-4900 in Pixelpost
Summary
by MITRE
pixelpost 1.7.1-5 has XSS
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/28/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-4900 affects PixelPost version 1.7.1 through 1.7.1-5 and represents a cross-site scripting flaw that allows remote attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users. This vulnerability resides within the image upload and processing functionality of the PixelPost content management system, where user-supplied data is not properly sanitized before being rendered in web responses. The flaw specifically manifests when the application fails to adequately validate or escape input parameters that are subsequently displayed without proper encoding, creating an avenue for attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript code within the context of victims' browsers.
The technical implementation of this XSS vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of image metadata or file names that are processed and stored by the PixelPost application. When users upload images, the system may store and display metadata or file names containing unescaped user input directly in HTML output contexts. Attackers can exploit this by crafting malicious file names or metadata that contain script tags or other malicious payloads. The vulnerability affects both reflected and stored XSS scenarios, depending on how the input is processed and displayed within the application's interface. This flaw aligns with CWE-79, which categorizes cross-site scripting as a critical web application vulnerability where untrusted data is improperly incorporated into web pages without proper validation or encoding.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution as it enables attackers to perform session hijacking, deface websites, steal sensitive cookies, or redirect users to malicious domains. An attacker could craft a specially formatted image file name that when viewed in the PixelPost admin interface or public gallery would execute malicious JavaScript in the context of authenticated admin sessions. This could lead to complete compromise of the web application and potentially the underlying server if the application runs with elevated privileges. The vulnerability also supports social engineering attacks where users might be tricked into viewing malicious content through seemingly legitimate image uploads. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1566 which covers social engineering techniques and T1059 which involves command and scripting interpreters, as the malicious scripts could be used to establish further attack vectors.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-4900 should prioritize immediate patching of the PixelPost application to the latest available version that addresses this vulnerability. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application, particularly for all user-supplied data that is rendered in web contexts. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide additional defense-in-depth measures by restricting script execution and preventing unauthorized code injection. Regular security auditing of web applications should include thorough testing for XSS vulnerabilities using automated tools and manual penetration testing techniques. Network segmentation and web application firewalls can provide additional protection layers, while user education about suspicious file uploads and website content can help reduce successful exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of following secure coding practices such as those outlined in OWASP Top Ten and the CERT/CC Secure Coding Standards, which emphasize input validation and output encoding as fundamental defenses against cross-site scripting attacks.