CVE-2007-4554 in Tikiwiki
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in tiki-remind_password.php in Tikiwiki (aka Tiki CMS/Groupware) 1.9.7 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the username parameter. NOTE: this issue might be related to CVE-2006-2635.7.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/02/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-4554 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within Tikiwiki version 1.9.7, specifically affecting the tiki-remind_password.php component. This weakness enables remote attackers to execute malicious web scripts or HTML code through manipulation of the username parameter, creating a significant security risk for users interacting with the vulnerable system. The flaw resides in the application's insufficient input validation and output sanitization mechanisms, which fail to properly handle potentially malicious user-supplied data.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which categorizes cross-site scripting as a weakness where untrusted data is incorporated into web page content without proper validation or encoding. The vulnerability occurs when the application directly incorporates user input from the username parameter into the HTTP response without adequate sanitization measures. Attackers can exploit this by submitting malicious payloads through the username field during password reminder processes, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or defacement of web content. The issue demonstrates a classic failure in input validation where the application trusts user-provided data without proper sanitization before rendering it in the browser context.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable sophisticated attacks such as cookie theft, redirection to malicious sites, or execution of arbitrary JavaScript code within the victim's browser context. When users interact with the password reminder functionality, they become potential victims of these attacks, especially if they are authenticated users within the Tikiwiki system. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal technical expertise, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged by attackers with limited skills to compromise user sessions and potentially gain unauthorized access to sensitive information. This risk is compounded by the fact that the vulnerability affects a core authentication component, making it a prime target for exploitation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-4554 should focus on implementing robust input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application. The most effective approach involves sanitizing all user inputs, particularly those used in dynamic content generation, and applying proper HTML encoding to prevent script execution in browser contexts. Organizations should implement proper parameter validation that rejects or sanitizes potentially malicious input patterns, while also ensuring that all output is properly escaped before being rendered to users. Additionally, the vulnerability highlights the importance of following secure coding practices as outlined in OWASP Top 10 and NIST guidelines, particularly regarding input validation and output encoding. The remediation process should include updating to patched versions of Tikiwiki, implementing web application firewalls, and conducting thorough security testing to ensure all similar vulnerabilities are addressed. This vulnerability also underscores the need for comprehensive security testing of authentication components, as the password reminder functionality often serves as an entry point for more sophisticated attacks within web applications.