# CVE-2009-3731: Cross-site scripting in n/a

> Remote attackers can inject arbitrary web script or HTML into VMware help systems, potentially executing code or bypassing security controls.

- **Severity:** Medium 4.3 (`AV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:N/I:P/A:N`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** A user has to click or open something
- **Fix available:** No
- **Published:** 16 Dec 2009
- **Updated:** 7 Aug 2024
- **Also known as:** GHSA-mpjr-rv63-f738

## What is CVE-2009-3731?

CVE-2009-3731 is a medium-severity cross-site scripting vulnerability in Vmware Server, published on 16 Dec 2009. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.

### Official description

Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in WebWorks Help 2.0 through 5.0 in VMware vCenter 4.0 before Update 1 Build 208156; VMware Server 2.0.2; VMware ESX 4.0; VMware Lab Manager 2.x; VMware vCenter Lab Manager 3.x and 4.x before 4.0.1; VMware Stage Manager 1.x before 4.0.1; WebWorks Publisher 6.x through 8.x; WebWorks Publisher 2003; and WebWorks ePublisher 9.0.x through 9.3, 2008.1 through 2008.4, and 2009.x before 2009.3 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via (1) wwhelp_entry.html, reachable through index.html and wwhsec.htm, (2) wwhelp/wwhimpl/api.htm, (3) wwhelp/wwhimpl/common/html/frameset.htm, (4) wwhelp/wwhimpl/common/scripts/switch.js, or (5) the window.opener component in wwhelp/wwhimpl/common/html/bookmark.htm, related to (a) unspecified parameters and (b) messages used in topic links for the bookmarking functionality.

Weakness: CWE-79 (Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2009-3731?

It affects 10 products.


Products: Vmware Esx Server, Vmware Lab Manager, Vmware Server, Vmware Stage Manager, Vmware Vcenter, Vmware Vcenter Lab Manager, Vmware Vcenter Stage Manager, Webworks Epublisher, Webworks Help, Webworks Publisher.

## How do I fix CVE-2009-3731?

No fix has been published for CVE-2009-3731 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

## Is CVE-2009-3731 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2009-3731 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Other vulnerabilities in Vmware Server

- [CVE-2010-0686](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2010-0686/): Server-side request forgery in n/a (high 7.5)
- [CVE-2009-2277](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2009-2277/): Cross-site scripting in n/a (medium 4.3)
- [CVE-2010-1137](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2010-1137/): Cross-site scripting in n/a (medium 4.3)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2009-3731 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2009-3731 is a medium-severity cross-site scripting vulnerability in Vmware Server, published on 16 Dec 2009. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of CVE-2009-3731 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected product: Vmware Server. No package-level version data is available, so check the vendor advisory linked from the reference page.

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2009-3731/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2009-3731/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2009-3731
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2009-3731
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2009-3731

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2009-3731/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.