CVE-2010-2969 in MoinMoin
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in MoinMoin 1.7.3 and earlier, and 1.9.x before 1.9.3, allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via crafted content, related to (1) action/LikePages.py, (2) action/chart.py, and (3) action/userprofile.py, a similar issue to CVE-2010-2487.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/21/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-2969 represents a critical cross-site scripting weakness affecting MoinMoin wiki software versions 1.7.3 and earlier, as well as 1.9.x versions prior to 1.9.3. This flaw enables remote attackers to execute malicious scripts within the context of other users' browsers through the manipulation of crafted content. The vulnerability manifests in three distinct action files: action/LikePages.py, action/chart.py, and action/userprofile.py, indicating a systemic issue in how these components handle user input without proper sanitization. The vulnerability shares similarities with CVE-2010-2487, suggesting a pattern of insufficient input validation across multiple components of the MoinMoin application.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the improper handling of user-supplied data within the specified action files. When users interact with these components, the application fails to adequately sanitize or escape input parameters before rendering them in web pages. This omission creates an environment where malicious actors can inject HTML tags, JavaScript code, or other harmful content that executes in the browsers of unsuspecting users. The vulnerability specifically targets the rendering process of wiki pages, where user-generated content is processed and displayed, making it particularly dangerous in collaborative environments where multiple users contribute content. This type of flaw directly maps to CWE-79, which defines Cross-Site Scripting vulnerabilities as the injection of malicious code into web applications. The attack vector operates through user interaction with web pages containing malicious content, where the victim's browser executes the injected scripts, potentially leading to session hijacking, data theft, or further exploitation.
The operational impact of CVE-2010-2969 extends beyond simple script execution, as it compromises the integrity and security of entire wiki installations. In collaborative environments where users frequently contribute content, this vulnerability can enable attackers to gain unauthorized access to user sessions, steal sensitive information, or manipulate wiki content to serve malicious purposes. The vulnerability affects both the display and processing capabilities of the wiki system, potentially allowing attackers to redirect users to phishing sites, steal cookies, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. Organizations relying on MoinMoin for documentation, knowledge sharing, or collaboration may face significant security implications, including potential data breaches and compromise of user credentials. The vulnerability's presence in multiple action files suggests a broader architectural issue that could affect other components of the application, making it a particularly concerning weakness in the software's security posture.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-2969 should prioritize immediate patching of affected MoinMoin versions to 1.9.3 or later, where the vulnerability has been addressed through proper input sanitization and output encoding. System administrators should implement comprehensive input validation mechanisms that sanitize all user-supplied content before processing or rendering, particularly in the vulnerable action files. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide additional protection against script execution, while regular security audits should verify that all user input is properly escaped before being displayed in web interfaces. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious input patterns, and conduct regular security training for users to recognize potential XSS attack vectors. The remediation process should include thorough testing of patched versions to ensure that the fix does not introduce regressions in functionality, while also monitoring for any signs of exploitation attempts in system logs. This vulnerability underscores the critical importance of secure coding practices and input validation in web applications, particularly those designed for user collaboration and content sharing.