CVE-2007-0901 in MoinMoin
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in Info pages in MoinMoin 1.5.7 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) hitcounts and (2) general parameters, different vectors than CVE-2007-0857. 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 • 07/13/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-0901 represents a significant security flaw in MoinMoin version 1.5.7, specifically affecting the Info pages functionality. This issue manifests as multiple cross-site scripting vulnerabilities that enable remote attackers to execute malicious web scripts or HTML code within the context of affected web applications. The vulnerability occurs within the hitcounts and general parameters processing mechanisms of the MoinMoin wiki system, making it particularly concerning given the widespread use of wiki platforms for information sharing and collaboration. The attack vectors differ from those described in CVE-2007-0857, indicating a distinct exploitation pathway that requires separate mitigation strategies.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding within the MoinMoin Info pages module. When users interact with the hitcounts or general parameters functionality, the application fails to properly sanitize user-supplied data before rendering it in web responses. This insufficient sanitization creates opportunities for attackers to inject malicious scripts that execute in the browsers of other users who access the affected pages. The vulnerability operates at the application layer, specifically targeting the web interface rendering engine where user input is processed without adequate security controls. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability maps to CWE-79 - Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, which is a fundamental weakness in web application security design.
The operational impact of CVE-2007-0901 extends beyond simple script injection, potentially enabling attackers to perform session hijacking, steal user credentials, or redirect victims to malicious websites. Given that MoinMoin is commonly used in enterprise environments for internal documentation and knowledge management, successful exploitation could compromise sensitive organizational information. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers need not have physical access to the system, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments where multiple users interact with shared wiki platforms. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to user sessions, modify content, or execute arbitrary commands depending on the system configuration and user privileges.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-0901 should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the MoinMoin application. Organizations should immediately upgrade to a patched version of MoinMoin that addresses these XSS vulnerabilities, as the original version 1.5.7 is no longer supported. Additionally, administrators should implement proper web application firewalls and content security policies to prevent malicious script execution. The implementation of proper input sanitization routines and output encoding should follow established security practices such as those outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and MITRE ATT&CK framework for web application security. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other web applications within the organization's infrastructure, ensuring comprehensive protection against cross-site scripting attacks and related exploitation techniques.