CVE-2010-4976 in MetInfo
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in search/search.php in MetInfo 3.0 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the searchword parameter (aka Search Box field). NOTE: some of these details are obtained from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/21/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-4976 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the MetInfo 3.0 content management system, specifically affecting the search functionality component. This issue resides in the search/search.php file where user input from the searchword parameter is not properly sanitized or validated before being rendered back to users. The vulnerability manifests when attackers exploit the Search Box field to inject malicious scripts that can execute in the context of other users' browsers, creating a persistent security risk that affects the entire user base of the affected system.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows a classic XSS attack pattern where the searchword parameter serves as the primary injection vector. When users submit search queries through the vulnerable interface, the application fails to implement proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms. This allows malicious actors to embed script tags or other HTML content directly into the search query field, which then gets executed when other users view the search results page. The flaw operates under CWE-79 which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting vulnerabilities, making it a well-documented and widely recognized security weakness in web applications. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that it affects the core search functionality, which is typically accessed by all users within the system.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risks for organizations using MetInfo 3.0 as it enables attackers to perform various malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, and data exfiltration. The attack surface is broad as any user who interacts with the search functionality becomes a potential victim of the XSS payload. Attackers can leverage this weakness to redirect users to malicious websites, steal authentication cookies, or even inject malicious code that persists across multiple user sessions. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 which covers social engineering tactics, as the malicious scripts can be crafted to appear legitimate to end users. Additionally, the persistent nature of the vulnerability means that once exploited, it can continue to affect users until the underlying code is patched.
The mitigation strategy for CVE-2010-4976 requires immediate implementation of proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application. Organizations should implement strict sanitization of all user input, particularly in search parameters, and apply context-specific encoding when rendering user-supplied data back to web pages. The recommended approach includes implementing Content Security Policy headers, using parameterized queries for database operations, and ensuring that all dynamic content is properly escaped before display. Security patches should be applied immediately to upgrade to a patched version of MetInfo, and organizations should conduct thorough code reviews to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of their web applications. Regular security testing including dynamic application security testing and manual penetration testing should be implemented to prevent similar issues from emerging in the future. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of following secure coding practices and implementing defense-in-depth strategies that include multiple layers of security controls to protect against common web application threats.