CVE-2011-0050 in CGI:IRC
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the nonjs interface (interfaces/nonjs.pm) in CGI:IRC before 0.5.10 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the R parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/17/2021
The CVE-2011-0050 vulnerability represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw in the CGI:IRC web-based chat application that affects versions prior to 0.5.10. This vulnerability specifically targets the nonjs interface component located in the interfaces/nonjs.pm file, exposing the application to malicious code injection attacks that can compromise user sessions and data integrity. The vulnerability arises from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the application's handling of user-supplied parameters, creating an exploitable entry point for remote attackers.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through the R parameter within the nonjs interface, which fails to properly sanitize or escape user input before rendering it in the web interface. When a malicious actor submits crafted script code through this parameter, the application processes the input without adequate protection measures, allowing the malicious payload to execute within the context of other users' browsers. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, specifically representing a reflected XSS attack where the malicious script is reflected back to users from the server. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation practices and inadequate output encoding that violates fundamental web security principles.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform session hijacking, steal user credentials, deface web pages, or redirect users to malicious websites. An attacker could craft malicious URLs containing XSS payloads that, when clicked by unsuspecting users, would execute the injected code in their browsers. This creates a significant risk for users who interact with the CGI:IRC application, particularly in environments where the application serves multiple users or handles sensitive communication data. The vulnerability undermines the trust model of web applications and can lead to broader security compromises within the affected systems.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application. The primary fix involves updating the interfaces/nonjs.pm file to properly sanitize all user input parameters, particularly the R parameter, using established security libraries and encoding functions that prevent script execution. Organizations should implement Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution contexts and employ proper input validation techniques that reject or escape potentially malicious content. Additionally, the application should be updated to version 0.5.10 or later where this vulnerability has been addressed through proper code modifications and security hardening measures. This vulnerability also highlights the importance of regular security audits and input validation testing in web applications, as outlined in the ATT&CK framework's defense evasion techniques that leverage XSS vulnerabilities for persistent access to compromised systems.