CVE-2010-3463 in SantaFox
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in modules/search/search.class.php in SantaFox 2.02, and possibly earlier, allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the search parameter to search.html.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/07/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-3463 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the SantaFox 2.02 content management system, specifically affecting the search functionality module. This issue resides in the modules/search/search.class.php file and manifests when the search parameter is passed through the search.html endpoint, creating an exploitable vector for malicious actors to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML code into the application's response. The vulnerability affects not only version 2.02 but potentially all earlier iterations of the SantaFox platform, indicating a widespread exposure across multiple releases. The flaw demonstrates poor input validation and output encoding practices that are fundamental to preventing XSS attacks in web applications.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of the search parameter field, which serves as an entry point for attackers to inject malicious payloads. When the application processes the search query without proper sanitization or encoding, it inadvertently executes the injected code within the context of other users' browsers. This behavior aligns with CWE-79, which defines the common weakness of cross-site scripting in web applications. The vulnerability's impact is particularly concerning because search functionality is typically a core feature that receives user input from multiple sources, making it an attractive target for attackers seeking to compromise the application's integrity. The attack vector operates through the standard HTTP request mechanism, requiring minimal privileges and making it accessible to remote threat actors.
The operational consequences of this vulnerability extend beyond simple data theft or defacement, as it enables attackers to establish persistent malicious presence within the application environment. Successful exploitation allows threat actors to execute scripts in the victim's browser context, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple versions suggests inadequate security testing during development cycles and highlights the importance of input validation in all application components. Organizations utilizing SantaFox 2.02 or earlier versions face significant risk of unauthorized access and data compromise, as the flaw can be exploited through simple web browser interactions without requiring advanced technical skills or specialized tools. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where multiple users interact with the application and where sensitive information may be processed through the search functionality.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-3463 should prioritize immediate application of security patches or updates provided by the SantaFox vendor, as this represents the most effective solution to address the root cause of the vulnerability. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation mechanisms that sanitize all user-supplied data before processing, particularly within search parameters and other interactive application components. The implementation of proper output encoding techniques, such as HTML entity encoding, should be enforced at all points where user input is rendered back to the browser. Security measures should also include the deployment of web application firewalls and security monitoring systems to detect and prevent exploitation attempts. Additionally, developers should follow secure coding practices that align with the OWASP Top Ten and MITRE ATT&CK framework guidelines, specifically focusing on preventing injection vulnerabilities and implementing defense-in-depth strategies. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities across the application stack and ensure that security controls remain effective against evolving threat landscapes.