CVE-2010-4893 in FestOS
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in foodvendors.php in FestOS 2.3b allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the category parameter in a details action.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/19/2025
The CVE-2010-4893 vulnerability represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the FestOS 2.3b web application that specifically targets the foodvendors.php script. This vulnerability exists in the handling of user-supplied input through the category parameter when the details action is invoked, creating a pathway for malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of other users' browsers. The flaw stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize or escape user-provided data before it is rendered back to end users.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious payload containing script code and passes it through the category parameter in the details action URL. When the vulnerable application processes this input and displays it without proper sanitization, the embedded scripts execute in the browser context of legitimate users who view the affected page. This creates a persistent threat vector where attackers can steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, deface the application interface, or perform other malicious activities that compromise user security and application integrity. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-79 which categorizes cross-site scripting as a code injection flaw that allows attackers to execute client-side scripts in the context of other users.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to the FestOS application and its users since it enables attackers to exploit the trust relationship between the web application and its users. The impact extends beyond simple data theft to include potential account takeovers, data manipulation, and reputational damage to the organization running the FestOS platform. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to inject phishing scripts that harvest user credentials or deploy malware through browser-based attack vectors. The vulnerability also aligns with several tactics from the MITRE ATT&CK framework including T1566 for credential harvesting and T1059 for command and scripting interpreter usage, demonstrating how XSS flaws can serve as entry points for broader attack chains.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-4893 should focus on implementing robust input validation and output encoding practices throughout the application. Developers must ensure that all user-supplied parameters including the category parameter in this case undergo strict sanitization before being processed or displayed. This includes implementing proper HTML escaping, using Content Security Policy headers, and employing secure coding practices that prevent the execution of untrusted input as code. Additionally, regular security code reviews and input validation testing should be integrated into the development lifecycle to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities before they can be exploited in production environments. The vulnerability underscores the critical importance of defense-in-depth approaches that combine multiple security controls to protect against client-side attacks that can compromise entire user sessions and application integrity.