CVE-2009-4924: Python cjson Cross-Site Scripting Vulnerability

MODERATE
Advisory Identifier: GHSA-95jp-77w6-qj52
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CVSS 6.1
CWE-79
Published
Advisory Summary

CVE-2009-4924 is a MODERATE (CVSS 6.1) cross-site scripting vulnerability (CWE-79: Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting')) affecting Python cjson libraries in the PyPI ecosystem. The issue involves cross-site scripting in python-cjson. Remediation is available by upgrading affected packages to version 1.1.0.

CVE-2009-4924 at a Glance

CVE Identifier CVE-2009-4924
GHSA Identifier GHSA-95jp-77w6-qj52
Severity MODERATE
CVSS v3.1 Base Score 6.1
CWE Classification CWE-79: Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting')
Affected Product Python cjson
Package Ecosystem PyPI
Published Date
Last Updated

Security Impact

CVSS: 6.1

The security impact metrics below are parsed directly from the CVSS v3.1 vector string (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N).

Attack Vector Network (AV:N)
Attack Complexity Low (AC:L)
Privileges Required None (PR:N)
User Interaction Required (UI:R)
Scope Changed (S:C)
Confidentiality Low (C:L)
Integrity Low (I:L)
Availability None (A:N)

How to Fix CVE-2009-4924

To remediate this vulnerability, upgrade all affected Python cjson dependencies to a patched release. Both direct and transitive dependencies should be checked, as frameworks or security libraries may pull in vulnerable versions transitively.

python-cjson fixed: 1.1.0 
pip install python-cjson>=1.1.0
Verify Direct and Transitive Dependencies

Run the following command in your project directory to verify that all resolved dependencies use the patched release: 

pip show python-cjson

How to Check if You Are Affected

To determine whether your Python environment is affected by CVE-2009-4924, inspect your installed packages using pip:

pip show python-cjson

Analyze the terminal output to locate any version of Python cjson in your dependency tree. If any resolved version matches the vulnerable ranges listed in the table below (for example, versions earlier than 1.1.0), your application is affected.

Note: The pip show python-cjson command checks currently installed packages in your active Python environment.

Technical Details

Vulnerability Mechanism & Technical Analysis

This vulnerability is classified under CWE-79: Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting'), where the product does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes user-controllable input before it is placed in output that is used as a web page that is served to other users. In Python cjson, software state validation or input boundaries are circumvented during processing. Review the official source advisory statement below for specific affected components, classes, and reproduction details.

Source Advisory Statement

Python-cjson 1.0.5 does not properly handle a ['/'] argument to cjson.encode, which makes it easier for remote attackers to conduct certain cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks involving Firefox and the end tag of a SCRIPT element.

CVE-2009-4924 Affected Python cjson Versions

1 component(s)
Fixed Versions:
1.1.0
Product / Package Ecosystem Affected Versions Fixed Version
python-cjson
pypi/python-cjson
PyPI
< 1.1.0
1.1.0

References

NVD — CVE-2009-4924 NVD
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2009-4924
Python cjson Source Repository REPOSITORY
https://github.com/AGProjects/python-cjson
GitHub Advisory / Wiki ADVISORY
https://github.com/advisories/GHSA-95jp-77w6-qj52
Python cjson Source Repository REPOSITORY
https://github.com/pypa/advisory-database/tree/main/vulns/python-cjson/PYSEC-2010-26.yaml
Python cjson Source Repository REPOSITORY
https://github.com/pypa/advisory-db/tree/main/vulns/python-cjson/PYSEC-2010-26.yaml
pypi.python.org/pypi/python-cjson WEB
http://pypi.python.org/pypi/python-cjson
Python cjson Security Information SECURITY
http://t3.dotgnu.info/blog/insecurity/quotes-dont-help.html

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2009-4924?
CVE-2009-4924 is a security vulnerability in Python cjson involving Cross-site Scripting in python-cjson under CWE-79: Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting').
Which Python cjson versions are affected?
Affected versions include releases prior to 1.1.0 across affected packages: python-cjson.
What version fixes CVE-2009-4924?
Upgrading to 1.1.0 (or the latest patched release for your respective branch) resolves the vulnerability.
Is python-cjson affected?
Yes, python-cjson is affected in releases prior to 1.1.0. Upgrade your dependency to 1.1.0 or later.
What is the CVSS score of CVE-2009-4924?
CVE-2009-4924 has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 6.1 (MODERATE) with vector string CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N.
What CWE is associated with CVE-2009-4924?
CVE-2009-4924 is classified under CWE-79: Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') (The product does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes user-controllable input before it is placed in output that is used as a web page that is served to other users.).
How can I check PyPI dependencies for CVE-2009-4924?
Run the dependency tree command: 'pip show python-cjson'. This command lists direct and transitive dependencies in your build configuration so you can verify if a vulnerable version is resolved.
Machine-readable OSV JSON OSV v1.5 Schema
Normalized schema output
View Raw JSON 
{
  "schema_version" : "1.4.0",
  "id" : "GHSA-95jp-77w6-qj52",
  "modified" : "2024-10-25T20:51:06Z",
  "published" : "2021-12-06T18:17:45Z",
  "aliases" : [ "CVE-2009-4924" ],
  "summary" : "Cross-site Scripting in python-cjson",
  "details" : "Python-cjson 1.0.5 does not properly handle a ['/'] argument to cjson.encode, which makes it easier for remote attackers to conduct certain cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks involving Firefox and the end tag of a SCRIPT element.",
  "severity" : [ {
    "type" : "CVSS_V3",
    "score" : "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N"
  }, {
    "type" : "CVSS_V4",
    "score" : "CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:P/VC:N/VI:N/VA:N/SC:L/SI:L/SA:N"
  } ],
  "affected" : [ {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "PyPI",
      "name" : "python-cjson"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "1.1.0"
      } ]
    } ]
  } ],
  "references" : [ {
    "type" : "ADVISORY",
    "url" : "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2009-4924"
  }, {
    "type" : "PACKAGE",
    "url" : "https://github.com/AGProjects/python-cjson"
  }, {
    "type" : "ADVISORY",
    "url" : "https://github.com/advisories/GHSA-95jp-77w6-qj52"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/pypa/advisory-database/tree/main/vulns/python-cjson/PYSEC-2010-26.yaml"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/pypa/advisory-db/tree/main/vulns/python-cjson/PYSEC-2010-26.yaml"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://pypi.python.org/pypi/python-cjson"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://t3.dotgnu.info/blog/insecurity/quotes-dont-help.html"
  } ],
  "database_specific" : {
    "cwe_ids" : [ "CWE-79" ],
    "severity" : "MODERATE",
    "github_reviewed" : true,
    "github_reviewed_at" : "2021-12-06T18:17:00Z",
    "nvd_published_at" : null
  }
}