CVE-2007-5120 in JSPWiki
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in JSPWiki 2.4.103 and 2.5.139-beta allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) group and (2) members parameters in (a) NewGroup.jsp; the (3) edittime parameter in (b) Edit.jsp; the (4) edittime, (5) author, and (6) link parameters in (c) Comment.jsp; the (7) loginname, (8) wikiname, (9) fullname, and (10) email parameters in (d) UserPreferences.jsp and (e) Login.jsp; the (11) r1 and (12) r2 parameters in (f) Diff.jsp; and the (13) changenote parameter in (g) PageInfo.jsp.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/08/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-5120 represents a critical cross-site scripting weakness affecting JSPWiki versions 2.4.103 and 2.5.139-beta, classified under CWE-79 as improper neutralization of input during web page generation. This vulnerability stems from insufficient sanitization of user-supplied parameters across multiple web pages within the wiki application, creating multiple attack vectors that allow remote adversaries to execute malicious scripts in the context of other users' browsers. The flaw specifically manifests in the handling of various input parameters that are directly incorporated into web responses without adequate validation or encoding mechanisms, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to exploit user trust relationships within the wiki environment.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability spans across several key JSP pages within the application framework, each presenting distinct entry points for malicious input. In NewGroup.jsp, the group and members parameters are particularly vulnerable, allowing attackers to inject malicious content that gets rendered when group information is displayed to other users. The Edit.jsp page exposes the edittime parameter as another attack vector, while Comment.jsp presents three separate parameters - edittime, author, and link - that can all be manipulated to inject malicious scripts. UserPreferences.jsp and Login.jsp contain four parameters each - loginname, wikiname, fullname, and email - that collectively provide attackers with multiple pathways to inject harmful code during user authentication and preference management processes. The Diff.jsp page introduces additional risk through r1 and r2 parameters, while PageInfo.jsp's changenote parameter creates yet another potential injection point for malicious script execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it enables attackers to perform various malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, and data exfiltration. When exploited, these vulnerabilities allow attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript code in the context of authenticated users, potentially leading to complete compromise of user sessions and unauthorized access to wiki resources. The vulnerability's widespread nature across multiple pages within the application increases the attack surface significantly, making it easier for adversaries to find a successful exploitation pathway. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007 for scripting and T1566 for spearphishing with attachments, as attackers could leverage these XSS flaws to deliver malicious payloads to unsuspecting users within the wiki environment.
Organizations utilizing affected JSPWiki versions face substantial security risks from this vulnerability, as it enables attackers to manipulate the web application's behavior and potentially gain unauthorized access to sensitive information. The vulnerability's presence in authentication and user management pages particularly increases the risk of credential compromise and unauthorized privilege escalation. Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding across all user-supplied parameters, with particular emphasis on the identified vulnerable parameters. Security patches should address the core issue by ensuring that all user inputs are properly sanitized before being rendered in web responses. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy headers and using proper parameter encoding techniques can provide additional defense layers against exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation in web applications and aligns with security best practices outlined in OWASP Top Ten, specifically addressing the prevention of XSS attacks through proper input sanitization and output encoding mechanisms.