CVE-2011-0004 in Piwik
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in Piwik before 1.1 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/08/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-0004 represents a critical security flaw in the Piwik web analytics platform, specifically affecting versions prior to 1.1. This issue manifests as multiple cross-site scripting vulnerabilities that expose the system to remote code execution through malicious web script injection. The flaw allows attackers to manipulate the platform's input handling mechanisms, creating a significant risk for organizations relying on Piwik for web traffic analysis and user behavior tracking.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding within Piwik's core processing functions. Attackers can exploit these weaknesses by crafting malicious payloads that bypass the platform's sanitization routines, enabling them to inject arbitrary HTML and JavaScript code into web pages served by the analytics platform. The unspecified vectors suggest that multiple entry points within the application architecture are susceptible to this type of injection attack, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be exploited through various communication channels and data processing pathways.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-0004 extends beyond simple data theft, as the XSS vulnerabilities can be leveraged to perform session hijacking, redirect users to malicious websites, or even execute arbitrary commands on affected systems. Organizations using vulnerable versions of Piwik face potential exposure of sensitive user data, including personally identifiable information and browsing patterns that the platform collects for analytics purposes. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers can exploit it without requiring physical access to the system or prior authentication, making it particularly attractive for large-scale attacks targeting multiple websites simultaneously.
Security practitioners should note that this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in software applications. The attack surface is further expanded when considering the ATT&CK framework's tactics, particularly the execution and persistence categories, as successful exploitation could enable attackers to establish backdoors or maintain long-term access to compromised systems. Organizations should prioritize immediate remediation by upgrading to Piwik version 1.1 or later, which includes proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms. Additional mitigations should include implementing proper web application firewalls, conducting regular security assessments, and establishing robust monitoring protocols to detect potential exploitation attempts.
The broader implications of this vulnerability highlight the critical importance of input sanitization in web applications and demonstrate how analytics platforms can become attack vectors when proper security controls are not implemented. This flaw serves as a reminder that even tools designed for legitimate monitoring and analysis purposes can be weaponized when security vulnerabilities exist in their implementation. Organizations should also consider implementing Content Security Policy headers and other defensive measures to reduce the potential impact of similar vulnerabilities in their web applications, as the exploitation of such flaws can lead to comprehensive compromise of user privacy and system integrity.