CVE-2010-3023 in DiamondList
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in DiamondList 0.1.6, and possibly earlier, allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) category[description] parameter to user/main/update_category, which is not properly handled by _app/views/categories/index.html.erb; and the (2) setting[site_title] parameter to user/main/update_settings, which is not properly handled by _app/views/settings/_list_settings.rhtml.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/09/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2010-3023 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting DiamondList version 0.1.6 and potentially earlier releases. This issue stems from improper input validation and output encoding within the web application's user interface components, specifically targeting parameters used in administrative functions. The vulnerability exists in the application's handling of user-supplied data within the category description and site title settings fields, creating exploitable pathways for malicious actors to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content. The affected application components include the _app/views/categories/index.html.erb and _app/views/settings/_list_settings.rhtml template files, which fail to sanitize or escape user input before rendering it within the web page context.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic XSS attack vector where unfiltered user input flows directly into the application's HTML output without proper sanitization mechanisms. When an attacker submits malicious content through the category[description] parameter in the update_category endpoint or the setting[site_title] parameter in the update_settings endpoint, the application processes these inputs without adequate validation or encoding. This failure in input sanitization creates a persistent XSS vulnerability that can be exploited across multiple user sessions. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the administrative nature of the affected parameters, as successful exploitation could allow attackers to manipulate the application's user interface, potentially leading to session hijacking or unauthorized administrative actions.
From an operational standpoint, this vulnerability presents significant security risks to organizations using DiamondList versions 0.1.6 or earlier, as it enables remote code execution through browser-based attacks. The persistent nature of the vulnerability means that once exploited, malicious scripts can execute in the context of other users' browsers, potentially compromising user sessions and accessing sensitive data. The attack surface extends beyond simple script injection to include potential privilege escalation if the application's administrative functions are accessible to authenticated users. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, and demonstrates the critical importance of input validation and output encoding practices. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a web application vulnerability exploitation technique, specifically targeting the application layer where user input is improperly handled.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the affected application components. The recommended approach involves implementing comprehensive sanitization of all user-supplied inputs before rendering them in HTML contexts, utilizing established encoding libraries to escape special characters in output. Organizations should also implement Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution capabilities and reduce the impact of successful XSS attacks. The application should be updated to a patched version that properly handles user input through parameterized queries and sanitized template rendering. Regular security assessments including automated vulnerability scanning and manual penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar input validation flaws in other application components. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and least privilege principles for administrative functions can limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts, while maintaining comprehensive logging of administrative activities to detect unauthorized access patterns.