CVE-2009-4983 in Silurus System
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in Silurus Classifieds 1.0 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the ID parameter to (1) category.php and (2) wcategory.php, and the (3) keywords parameter to search.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/18/2025
The CVE-2009-4983 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in Silurus Classifieds version 1.0, a web application designed for online classified advertisements. This vulnerability exposes the application to remote code execution risks through malicious injection techniques that can compromise user sessions and data integrity. The flaw specifically affects three distinct endpoints within the application's interface, creating multiple attack vectors for potential exploitation. The vulnerability classification aligns with CWE-79, which defines cross-site scripting as a weakness that allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users. These vulnerabilities fall under the broader category of web application security flaws that can enable attackers to bypass standard security measures and access sensitive user information.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding within the Silurus Classifieds application. Attackers can exploit the vulnerability by manipulating the ID parameter in category.php and wcategory.php scripts, as well as the keywords parameter in search.php. These parameters are directly incorporated into the web page output without proper sanitization or encoding, allowing malicious payloads to execute within the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability operates by leveraging the application's failure to properly escape or validate user-supplied input before rendering it in HTML output, creating an environment where attacker-controlled scripts can be executed with the privileges of authenticated users. This type of flaw demonstrates the classic XSS attack pattern where untrusted data flows from user input directly into the application's output without proper security controls.
The operational impact of CVE-2009-4983 extends beyond simple script injection, potentially enabling sophisticated attacks that can compromise user accounts and steal sensitive information. An attacker could craft malicious URLs containing script payloads that, when clicked by other users, would execute in their browser context and potentially steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or harvest personal information. The vulnerability affects multiple endpoints, increasing the attack surface and providing attackers with several potential entry points. This makes the exploitation more likely and increases the potential damage that can be achieved through a single attack vector. The vulnerability's impact is particularly concerning in classified advertising platforms where users may share personal information and financial details, as these attacks could lead to identity theft, financial fraud, or unauthorized access to user accounts. The attack patterns associated with this vulnerability align with ATT&CK technique T1566, which covers social engineering through malicious content delivery, and T1059, which involves command and scripting interpreters for code execution.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-4983 require immediate implementation of proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application. The primary defense involves implementing strict parameter validation that rejects or sanitizes potentially malicious input before processing. Developers should employ proper HTML escaping techniques for all user-supplied data that appears in web page output, ensuring that special characters are properly encoded to prevent script execution. The application should implement Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution and prevent unauthorized code injection. Additionally, the system should utilize parameterized queries and prepared statements to prevent injection attacks, while also implementing proper session management and authentication controls. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous patterns in user input and parameter usage that could indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to provide additional layers of protection against known attack patterns and maintain regular security updates to address similar vulnerabilities in the application's codebase. These measures align with industry best practices for XSS prevention and help ensure that user data remains protected against malicious injection attacks that could compromise the integrity of the classified advertising platform.