CVE-2010-1673 in Ikiwiki
Summary
by MITRE
A cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in ikiwiki before 3.20101112 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via a comment.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/01/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2010-1673 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the ikiwiki web-based wiki system prior to version 3.20101112. This vulnerability specifically affects the comment handling functionality of the application, creating a pathway for remote attackers to execute malicious code within the context of other users' browsers. The flaw exists due to insufficient input validation and sanitization of user-supplied data, particularly within the comment submission process where attacker-controlled content is not properly escaped or filtered before being rendered back to end users. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is classified as a fundamental web application security weakness that enables attackers to inject client-side scripts into web pages viewed by other users.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker submits a comment containing malicious script code that is then stored and subsequently displayed to other users browsing the wiki pages. When these users view the affected pages, their browsers execute the injected scripts, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious websites. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that ikiwiki is commonly used for collaborative documentation and knowledge management, meaning that comments often contain sensitive information and are frequently accessed by multiple users. The flaw demonstrates poor security practices in input handling and output encoding, where user-generated content is directly embedded into web pages without proper sanitization measures. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 which covers spearphishing attachments, as the malicious scripts could be used to deliver further payloads or establish persistent access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to manipulate the entire wiki environment. An attacker could modify page content, steal user sessions, or redirect users to phishing sites that appear legitimate within the wiki context. The vulnerability affects not only individual user experiences but also compromises the integrity and trustworthiness of the entire wiki platform. Organizations relying on ikiwiki for documentation, collaboration, and knowledge sharing face significant risks including data exfiltration, unauthorized modifications, and potential escalation to more severe attacks. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal technical skill and can be automated, making it particularly dangerous in environments where multiple users interact with the system. This weakness directly violates security principles of defense in depth and input validation, as the application fails to implement proper sanitization of user inputs before rendering them in web contexts. The vulnerability also impacts the principle of least privilege, as successful exploitation could allow attackers to gain unauthorized access to information and functionality within the wiki environment.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-1673 include immediate upgrading to ikiwiki version 3.20101112 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the XSS vulnerability. Organizations should also implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms to prevent similar issues in other applications. Additional protective measures include deploying web application firewalls, implementing content security policies, and conducting regular security assessments of web applications. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of proper input sanitization and the critical need for regular security updates in collaborative software environments. Security teams should also consider implementing monitoring solutions to detect potential exploitation attempts and establish incident response procedures for handling XSS-related security events. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to web application security standards such as those defined in the OWASP Top Ten project.