CVE-2010-4659 in statusnet
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in statusnet through 2010 in error message contents.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/23/2024
The CVE-2010-4659 vulnerability represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw discovered in the statusnet platform version 2010 and earlier. This vulnerability specifically affects the error message handling mechanisms within the application, where user-supplied input is not properly sanitized before being rendered in error pages. The flaw enables malicious actors to inject arbitrary javascript code into error messages that are subsequently displayed to other users, creating a persistent XSS vector that can be exploited across the entire user base.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding practices within the statusnet error handling subsystem. When the application encounters an error condition, it typically displays error messages containing contextual information derived from user inputs or system parameters. In the vulnerable version, these error messages are directly rendered without proper sanitization, allowing attackers to craft malicious payloads that exploit the browser's interpretation of javascript code. This vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and more precisely aligns with CWE-74 as it involves the injection of data into dynamically generated web pages without proper escaping or encoding mechanisms.
The operational impact of CVE-2010-4659 extends beyond simple script execution, as it enables attackers to perform session hijacking, credential theft, and data exfiltration from authenticated users. Once exploited, the malicious javascript code can access session cookies, capture user credentials, or redirect users to malicious sites that appear legitimate. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in social networking environments like statusnet where users frequently interact with content generated by others, allowing attackers to spread malicious payloads through error message propagation. This attack vector aligns with ATT&CK technique T1531 which focuses on use of system paths to gain persistence, and T1566 which covers spearphishing with a malicious attachment or link, as the XSS can be used to deliver additional payloads.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of proper input sanitization and output encoding mechanisms throughout the statusnet application. The most effective approach involves implementing strict content security policies that prevent script execution in error messages, combined with comprehensive input validation that strips or encodes potentially dangerous characters. Organizations should also implement proper error handling procedures that avoid displaying raw user input in error messages, instead using generic error templates that do not contain sensitive information. Additionally, regular security audits and automated vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar flaws in other application components, as this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of consistent security practices across all application layers. The fix should also include implementing proper logging and monitoring of error conditions to detect potential exploitation attempts and ensure timely response to security incidents.