CVE-2010-2491 in Roundup
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in cgi/client.py in Roundup before 1.4.14 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the template argument to the /issue program.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/23/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2010-2491 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the Roundup issue tracking system's web interface. This security weakness exists in the cgi/client.py component of Roundup versions prior to 1.4.14, specifically affecting the /issue program's handling of the template argument parameter. The vulnerability enables remote attackers to execute malicious web scripts or HTML code within the context of other users' browsers who interact with the affected system.
The technical nature of this flaw stems from insufficient input validation and output sanitization within the Roundup web application's template processing mechanism. When the /issue program receives a template argument through the web interface, it fails to properly sanitize or escape the input before incorporating it into the HTML response sent to users. This creates an environment where attacker-controlled data can be interpreted as executable script code rather than harmless text, allowing for arbitrary code execution within the victim's browser context. The vulnerability specifically affects the template argument parameter, which suggests that the application dynamically renders user-supplied template names or paths without adequate security controls.
The operational impact of this XSS vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to perform various malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, data exfiltration, and redirection to malicious sites. An attacker could craft a malicious template argument that, when processed by the vulnerable Roundup system, would execute JavaScript code in the browser of any user who views the affected issue page. This could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive project data, manipulation of issue tracking information, or the establishment of persistent malicious presence within the organization's issue tracking environment. The vulnerability affects the core functionality of the issue tracking system, potentially compromising the integrity and confidentiality of all data managed through the platform.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms. Organizations should immediately upgrade to Roundup version 1.4.14 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address this XSS weakness. Additionally, administrators should implement comprehensive input sanitization routines that validate and escape all user-supplied data before processing, particularly parameters used in dynamic template rendering. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide an additional layer of protection against script execution, while regular security auditing of web applications should include thorough testing for XSS vulnerabilities using tools such as OWASP ZAP or Burp Suite. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, and represents a fundamental security weakness that can be exploited through the ATT&CK technique of Web Application Attack Surface Management, where adversaries target web interfaces to establish persistent access to organizational systems.