CVE-2010-4896 in Member Management System
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in admin/index.asp in Member Management System 4.0 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the REF_URL parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/25/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-4896 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the Member Management System version 4.0, specifically affecting the administrative interface component located at admin/index.asp. This security weakness exposes the system to malicious actors who can exploit the unprotected REF_URL parameter to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content directly into the application's response. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data before incorporating it into dynamic web content. Such a flaw fundamentally compromises the integrity of the web application's security model and creates a persistent vector for attacker exploitation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which categorizes cross-site scripting as a critical weakness in web applications where untrusted data is incorporated into web pages without proper sanitization or encoding. The REF_URL parameter serves as the primary attack surface, allowing remote adversaries to submit malicious payloads that execute within the context of other users' browsers who access the compromised administrative interface. This type of vulnerability operates under the principle of trust violation, where the application unknowingly executes attacker-controlled code as if it were legitimate content. The attack requires no privileged access or authentication, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by anyone with knowledge of the vulnerable parameter structure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, creating potential pathways for more sophisticated attacks within the Member Management System environment. An attacker could leverage this XSS flaw to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, deface the administrative interface, or even escalate privileges within the system. The reflected nature of the vulnerability means that the malicious payload executes immediately upon page load, providing attackers with real-time execution capabilities. This makes the vulnerability particularly attractive for phishing campaigns or data exfiltration attempts, as the malicious code can capture sensitive information from authenticated administrative sessions. The vulnerability also demonstrates poor security practices in input handling and output encoding, which are fundamental requirements for web application security frameworks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-4896 should focus on implementing robust input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the Member Management System. The most effective immediate solution involves sanitizing all user-supplied input parameters, particularly the REF_URL parameter, through proper HTML encoding and validation before incorporating them into dynamic web content. Organizations should implement Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution and prevent unauthorized code injection. Additionally, the application should employ proper parameter validation techniques such as allowing only specific, expected input formats while rejecting malformed or suspicious data. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of regular security assessments and code reviews, as outlined in NIST SP 800-53 security controls. Organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls and input sanitization libraries to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in other components of the system. The remediation process should include thorough testing of all input parameters and comprehensive validation of user-supplied data to ensure that no other similar XSS vulnerabilities exist within the application's codebase.