CVE-2010-1195 in ikiwiki
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the htmlscrubber component in ikiwiki 2.x before 2.53.5 and 3.x before 3.20100312 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via a crafted data:image/svg+xml URI.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/04/2026
The CVE-2010-1195 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in the htmlscrubber component of ikiwiki versions prior to 2.53.5 and 3.20100312. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization of user-supplied data, specifically when processing data:image/svg+xml URIs. The flaw allows remote attackers to execute malicious scripts within the context of a victim's browser session, potentially leading to unauthorized access to sensitive information or account takeovers.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the htmlscrubber's insufficient filtering mechanisms when handling SVG content embedded within data URIs. When ikiwiki processes a crafted SVG image URI containing malicious JavaScript code, the sanitization routines fail to properly strip or escape the dangerous content, thereby permitting the execution of arbitrary web scripts. This represents a classic XSS vulnerability categorized under CWE-79, which specifically addresses improper neutralization of input during web page generation. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because SVG images can contain executable JavaScript code within their markup, bypassing traditional HTML sanitization measures that typically focus on standard HTML tags and attributes.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform session hijacking, deface websites, steal cookies, or redirect users to malicious domains. In the context of ikiwiki's use case as a wiki software platform, this vulnerability could allow attackers to compromise wiki pages, inject malicious content into documentation, or gain unauthorized access to user accounts. The attack vector requires minimal privileges since the vulnerability exists in the server-side processing of user input, making it particularly dangerous for collaborative environments where multiple users contribute content. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001, which describes the use of malicious content to compromise web applications.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-1195 require immediate patching of affected ikiwiki installations to versions 2.53.5 or 3.20100312 and newer, which contain the necessary fixes for the htmlscrubber component. Organizations should also implement additional defensive measures such as content security policies to restrict script execution, regular input validation testing, and comprehensive security auditing of third-party components. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect suspicious data:image/svg+xml URI patterns in web traffic, while web application firewalls can be configured to block known malicious SVG content patterns. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input sanitization for rich media content and highlights the need for robust security practices in web application development, particularly when handling user-generated content that may contain embedded executable code.