CVE-2010-4913 in ColdUserGroup
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the search feature in ColdGen ColdUserGroup 1.06 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the Keywords parameter. NOTE: some of these details are obtained from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/12/2019
The CVE-2010-4913 vulnerability represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the ColdGen ColdUserGroup 1.06 web application, specifically manifesting in the search functionality. This vulnerability classifies under CWE-79 as a failure to sanitize user input, creating an exploitable condition where malicious actors can inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content. The vulnerability exists due to insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the application's search feature, particularly when processing the Keywords parameter. Attackers can leverage this weakness to execute malicious scripts in the context of other users' browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or unauthorized actions within the application's security context.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker submits malicious input through the search Keywords parameter, which is then processed and displayed without proper sanitization or encoding. This allows attackers to inject script tags or other HTML content that executes in the victim's browser when the search results are rendered. The vulnerability's impact is significant as it enables attackers to bypass the application's security controls and potentially gain access to sensitive user data or perform unauthorized operations. The flaw demonstrates a fundamental weakness in the application's input handling and output rendering processes, where user-supplied data is not properly escaped or validated before being incorporated into web responses.
The operational impact of CVE-2010-4913 extends beyond simple script execution, potentially allowing attackers to establish persistent access patterns within the application environment. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for script injection and T1566 for credential harvesting, as attackers can craft payloads that steal session cookies or redirect users to malicious sites. The vulnerability affects the application's integrity and user trust, as legitimate users may encounter malicious content during search operations. Organizations running ColdGen ColdUserGroup 1.06 are particularly vulnerable since this represents a known flaw in a specific version that likely lacks proper security hardening measures.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms. The primary remediation involves sanitizing all user input, particularly parameters used in search functions, by implementing proper HTML entity encoding before rendering content. Organizations should also consider implementing Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution and employ web application firewalls to detect and block malicious payloads. Additionally, regular security updates and patches should be applied to address known vulnerabilities in third-party applications, while input validation should be strengthened to prevent injection attacks. The vulnerability highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to OWASP Top Ten security guidelines, particularly those addressing input validation and output encoding to prevent XSS attacks.