CVE-2009-4944 in ACollab
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in ATRC ACollab 1.2 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) address parameter to profile.php or the (2) description parameter to events/add_event.php. NOTE: the provenance of this information is unknown; the details are obtained solely from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/06/2019
The CVE-2009-4944 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in ATRC ACollab version 1.2, a web-based collaboration platform that was widely used for educational and organizational purposes. This vulnerability resides in the application's input validation mechanisms, specifically targeting two distinct endpoints that handle user-provided data. The flaw allows remote attackers to execute malicious scripts within the context of other users' browsers, potentially compromising the entire user base of the platform. The vulnerability's severity stems from its ability to affect core functionality of the application, particularly user profile management and event creation features that are fundamental to the platform's operation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability manifests through two primary attack vectors that exploit insufficient input sanitization. The first vector targets the address parameter within the profile.php script, while the second vector exploits the description parameter in events/add_event.php. Both parameters receive user input without proper validation or encoding, allowing attackers to inject malicious HTML content that gets executed when other users view the affected pages. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws in software applications, representing one of the most common and dangerous web application security issues. The attack requires no authentication and can be executed through simple web requests, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users trust the application's content.
The operational impact of CVE-2009-4944 extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as it enables attackers to perform session hijacking, redirect users to malicious sites, or steal sensitive information from authenticated sessions. In educational environments where ATRC ACollab was commonly deployed, this vulnerability could allow attackers to access student records, course materials, or administrative functions. The remote nature of the attack means that threat actors could exploit this vulnerability from anywhere on the internet, potentially compromising multiple users simultaneously. This vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 which covers spearphishing with attachments and links, as the malicious scripts could be delivered through seemingly legitimate platform interactions. The platform's user trust model makes this attack particularly effective, as users are likely to interact with content they believe to be legitimate.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms. Organizations should implement strict parameter validation for all user inputs, particularly those used in profile management and event creation functions. The recommended approach includes sanitizing all user-provided data before processing or displaying it, implementing proper HTML entity encoding, and utilizing Content Security Policy headers to prevent unauthorized script execution. Additionally, regular security audits and input validation testing should be conducted to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in future versions. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure coding practices and input validation, which are fundamental requirements in the OWASP Top Ten security risks and align with industry standards for web application security. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring for suspicious patterns in user input that could indicate attempted exploitation of similar vulnerabilities.