CVE-2009-4995 in SmarterTrack
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in frmTickets.aspx in SmarterTools SmarterTrack before 4.0.3504 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the email address field. 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 • 02/07/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-4995 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in SmarterTools SmarterTrack software versions prior to 4.0.3504. This security weakness specifically targets the frmTickets.aspx web page component where user input is processed without adequate sanitization measures. The vulnerability exists within the email address field handling mechanism, making it particularly concerning as email addresses are commonly entered by users in web forms and are often displayed in various contexts within web applications. The absence of proper input validation and output encoding creates an environment where malicious actors can exploit this weakness to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the victim's browser context.
This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is classified as a fundamental web application security flaw that allows attackers to inject client-side scripts into web pages viewed by other users. The attack vector specifically exploits the lack of input sanitization in the email address field, enabling remote attackers to craft malicious payloads that can be executed when other users view the affected web page. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple script execution as it can potentially enable session hijacking, credential theft, and redirection to malicious websites. The fact that this vulnerability affects a help desk ticketing system makes it particularly dangerous as it could be exploited to compromise user sessions or gain unauthorized access to sensitive support tickets and customer information.
The operational impact of CVE-2009-4995 is significant for organizations using affected versions of SmarterTrack as it creates multiple attack surfaces for malicious actors. When attackers successfully inject malicious scripts through the email address field, they can potentially steal user cookies, modify page content, redirect users to phishing sites, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers do not require physical access to the system or local network privileges to exploit this weakness, making it particularly dangerous for web-based applications. Organizations may experience unauthorized access to sensitive customer data, disruption of support services, and potential data breaches that could result in regulatory compliance violations and reputational damage.
The remediation strategy for this vulnerability centers on immediate patching of the affected SmarterTrack software to version 4.0.3504 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms to prevent similar vulnerabilities in the future, ensuring that all user-supplied data is properly sanitized before being processed or displayed. Security measures should include implementing Content Security Policy headers, using proper HTML encoding for all dynamic content, and conducting regular security assessments of web applications. Additionally, organizations should establish secure coding practices that align with industry standards such as those outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity guidelines, ensuring that all web applications undergo proper security testing including input validation checks and XSS prevention measures. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions and implementing robust patch management processes to prevent exploitation of known security weaknesses.