CVE-2007-5683 in TikiWiki
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in TikiWiki 1.9.8.1 and earlier allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via (1) the username parameter to the password reminder page (tiki-remind_password.php), (2) IMG tags in wiki pages, and (3) the local_php parameter to db/tiki-db.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/29/2019
The CVE-2007-5683 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting TikiWiki versions 1.9.8.1 and earlier, demonstrating the persistent challenge of input validation and output encoding in web applications. This vulnerability exists across multiple attack vectors within the TikiWiki platform, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited through various entry points. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 for exploitation of web application vulnerabilities. The presence of XSS vulnerabilities in the password reminder functionality particularly targets user authentication flows, creating potential attack paths for credential theft and session hijacking.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through three distinct pathways that exploit insufficient input sanitization and output encoding mechanisms. The first vector involves the username parameter in the tiki-remind_password.php page where unvalidated user input directly influences the page output without proper HTML escaping or encoding. The second vulnerability exists in wiki page processing where IMG tags can be injected and rendered without proper validation, allowing attackers to execute malicious scripts through image sources. The third vector targets the local_php parameter in db/tiki-db.php, where user-controlled input is directly incorporated into database operations without adequate sanitization. These attack surfaces collectively demonstrate a fundamental flaw in the application's data handling processes, where user-supplied content flows directly into executable contexts without proper security controls.
The operational impact of CVE-2007-5683 extends beyond simple script injection, potentially enabling sophisticated attack scenarios that can compromise entire user sessions and system integrity. An attacker exploiting the password reminder vulnerability could redirect users to malicious sites or steal session cookies, while the wiki page IMG tag injection could execute persistent XSS attacks that affect all users viewing compromised pages. The database parameter vulnerability presents additional risk as it could potentially allow attackers to manipulate database operations or extract sensitive information through crafted input sequences. These vulnerabilities collectively undermine the trust model of the web application, as users cannot distinguish between legitimate content and maliciously injected scripts, creating persistent security risks that can affect multiple users over extended periods.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-5683 must address all three identified attack vectors through comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms. Organizations should implement strict parameter validation for all user inputs, particularly those used in authentication flows and database operations, ensuring that all data is properly escaped or encoded before being rendered in web contexts. The implementation of Content Security Policy (CSP) headers can provide additional protection against script execution, while regular security auditing of input handling processes can prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging. Patch management procedures should prioritize immediate updates to TikiWiki versions that address these specific XSS vulnerabilities, as the affected versions represent outdated software with known security weaknesses. Security controls should also include monitoring for suspicious user activity patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, and implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious input patterns targeting these specific attack vectors.