CVE-2009-4941 in ACollab
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in sign_in.php in ATRC ACollab 1.2 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the f parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/28/2017
The CVE-2009-4941 vulnerability represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw in the ATRC ACollab 1.2 web application's authentication component. This security weakness resides within the sign_in.php script where user input is not properly sanitized before being processed and rendered back to the browser. The vulnerability specifically targets the 'f' parameter which is used to handle redirect functionality after successful authentication, making it a critical vector for malicious code injection. The flaw enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML content within the context of authenticated users' browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, data theft, or unauthorized actions performed on behalf of victims.
This vulnerability maps directly to CWE-79 which defines Cross-Site Scripting as a weakness where untrusted data is sent to a web browser without proper validation or escaping. The attack vector operates through the manipulation of the 'f' parameter in the sign_in.php endpoint, allowing threat actors to inject malicious payloads that persist in the application's authentication flow. The technical implementation involves the application accepting user-supplied input without adequate sanitization or output encoding, creating an environment where attacker-controlled content can be executed as part of legitimate web page rendering. This particular flaw demonstrates a failure in input validation and output encoding practices that are fundamental to preventing XSS attacks in web applications.
The operational impact of CVE-2009-4941 extends beyond simple script injection, as it can facilitate more sophisticated attacks within the ACollab environment. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to steal user sessions, redirect authenticated users to malicious sites, or manipulate the application's behavior through injected scripts. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in educational or collaborative environments where ACollab might be used for sharing sensitive information, as it could enable unauthorized access to course materials, personal data, or communication channels. The remote nature of the attack means that threat actors can exploit this vulnerability from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access to the target system or network.
From a defensive standpoint, mitigation strategies should focus on implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the ATRC ACollab application. The most effective immediate solution involves sanitizing all user-supplied input parameters, particularly those used in redirect functionality, by implementing strict validation and encoding before any data is processed or rendered. Organizations should also consider implementing Content Security Policy headers to limit the execution of inline scripts and prevent unauthorized code injection. Additionally, this vulnerability highlights the importance of regular security assessments and code reviews to identify similar flaws in web applications, as the ATT&CK framework categorizes such issues under the T1059.007 technique for 'Scripting' which involves the use of scripting languages to execute malicious code within compromised environments. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing of input handling mechanisms and implementation of secure coding practices that align with OWASP's secure coding guidelines for preventing cross-site scripting vulnerabilities.