CVE-2007-5121 in JSPWiki
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in JSPWiki 2.5.139-beta allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the redirect parameter to wiki-3/Login.jsp and unspecified other components.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/09/2018
The CVE-2007-5121 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in JSPWiki version 2.5.139-beta that enables remote attackers to execute malicious scripts within the context of victim sessions. This vulnerability specifically affects the wiki-3/Login.jsp component where the redirect parameter fails to properly sanitize user input, creating an avenue for attackers to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content. The flaw exists due to insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the application's authentication and redirection processes, allowing malicious actors to manipulate the redirect parameter and inject malicious code that executes in the victim's browser.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious URL containing crafted script code within the redirect parameter of the Login.jsp endpoint. When a victim clicks such a link and is redirected to the vulnerable page, the malicious script executes within the victim's browser context, potentially stealing session cookies, performing unauthorized actions on behalf of the user, or redirecting the user to malicious sites. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws where untrusted data is incorporated into web page content without proper validation or encoding. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input sanitization practices and inadequate security controls around user-supplied parameters that are used in dynamic content generation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can lead to complete session hijacking, unauthorized access to user accounts, and potential data breaches within the wiki environment. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to impersonate legitimate users, modify wiki content, access restricted resources, or escalate privileges within the application. The vulnerability affects not only the login component but also unspecified other components within the JSPWiki application, indicating a systemic security flaw in how the application handles user input across multiple modules. This makes the impact more severe as it potentially affects the entire application surface rather than being isolated to a single endpoint.
Organizations using JSPWiki 2.5.139-beta should immediately implement multiple layers of defense to mitigate this vulnerability. The primary mitigation involves implementing strict input validation and output encoding for all user-supplied parameters, particularly those used in redirection logic. This includes sanitizing the redirect parameter to ensure it only accepts valid, expected values and properly encoding all output to prevent script execution. Additionally, implementing proper content security policies and using secure coding practices such as parameterized queries and input validation libraries can significantly reduce the risk. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring for suspicious redirect patterns to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 which covers social engineering through malicious links and redirects, making it a critical concern for enterprise security teams managing wiki-based collaboration platforms.