CVE-2010-4245 in pootle
Summary
by MITRE
pootle 2.0.5-0.2 has XSS via 'match_names' parameter
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/28/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-4245 affects Pootle version 2.0.5-0.2 and represents a cross-site scripting flaw that arises from improper input validation within the application's handling of the 'match_names' parameter. This issue demonstrates a classic web application security weakness where user-supplied data is directly incorporated into web responses without adequate sanitization or encoding mechanisms. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the application processes the 'match_names' parameter in a manner that allows malicious script execution within the context of other users' browsers.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the application's failure to properly escape or filter user input before rendering it in web pages. When the 'match_names' parameter contains malicious payload data, the application directly incorporates this content into HTML output without appropriate security measures such as HTML entity encoding or content security policy enforcement. This allows attackers to inject malicious scripts that execute in the browsers of unsuspecting users who view the affected pages. The flaw typically occurs in the application's search or filtering functionality where the parameter is used to match and display names, creating an environment where malicious input can be interpreted as executable code rather than plain text.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability enables attackers to perform various malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, and redirection to malicious websites. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it can be exploited through simple web requests without requiring authentication or special privileges. An attacker could craft a malicious URL containing the XSS payload and send it to victims through phishing emails, social engineering, or by embedding it in compromised websites. The vulnerability affects all users of the affected Pootle version who interact with pages containing the vulnerable parameter, potentially compromising user sessions and enabling persistent malicious activities.
The security implications extend beyond simple script execution as this vulnerability can be leveraged to establish persistent threats within the application environment. Attackers could use the XSS capability to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or even modify application behavior for other users. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which categorizes cross-site scripting flaws and corresponds to techniques documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1059.001 sub-technique for command and scripting interpreter. The attack surface is particularly broad in web applications like Pootle that handle user-generated content or search parameters, making proper input validation and output encoding essential security controls.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of proper input sanitization and output encoding mechanisms. The application should implement comprehensive parameter validation that rejects or escapes potentially malicious input before processing. Security measures must include HTML entity encoding of all user-supplied data when rendered in web contexts, along with the implementation of content security policies to prevent unauthorized script execution. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block known XSS attack patterns. The most effective long-term solution involves upgrading to a patched version of Pootle that addresses this vulnerability and incorporates proper security controls for input validation and output encoding. Regular security testing including automated scanning and manual penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in the application codebase.