CVE-2011-0533 in Continuum
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Apache Continuum 1.1 through 1.2.3.1, 1.3.6, and 1.4.0 Beta; and Archiva 1.3.0 through 1.3.3 and 1.0 through 1.22 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via a crafted parameter, related to the autoIncludeParameters setting for the extremecomponents table.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/03/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-0533 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting multiple versions of Apache Continuum and Archiva web applications. This vulnerability resides in the handling of user input parameters within the extremecomponents table functionality, specifically when the autoIncludeParameters setting is enabled. The flaw allows remote attackers to inject malicious scripts or HTML code through carefully crafted parameters that are then executed in the context of other users' browsers. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which defines improper neutralization of input during web page generation, making it a classic example of client-side injection vulnerability that can lead to severe security consequences.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when applications process user-supplied input through the extremecomponents table component with autoIncludeParameters enabled. Attackers can craft malicious parameters that contain script code, which gets rendered in the web interface without proper sanitization or encoding. The vulnerability affects a broad range of versions including Apache Continuum 1.1 through 1.2.3.1, 1.3.6, and 1.4.0 Beta, as well as Archiva 1.3.0 through 1.3.3 and 1.0 through 1.22, indicating a widespread issue within these application frameworks. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it requires minimal privileges and can be executed remotely, making it accessible to any user who can interact with the vulnerable application's web interface.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform various malicious activities including session hijacking, data theft, privilege escalation, and redirection to malicious sites. When exploited successfully, the XSS vulnerability can allow attackers to steal session cookies, modify web page content, redirect users to phishing sites, or even execute commands on behalf of authenticated users. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 which covers JavaScript and VBScript, and can be leveraged for more advanced attacks such as credential theft through cookie manipulation or browser-based attacks that bypass traditional network security controls.
Organizations using affected versions of Apache Continuum or Archiva should implement immediate mitigations including disabling the autoIncludeParameters setting when not required, implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding, and deploying web application firewalls to detect and block malicious script injection attempts. The recommended approach involves sanitizing all user input parameters before processing, applying proper HTML encoding to output rendered in web pages, and conducting thorough security testing of web applications to identify similar vulnerabilities. Additionally, upgrading to patched versions of these applications represents the most effective long-term solution, as the vulnerability has been addressed in subsequent releases through improved parameter handling and input validation mechanisms that align with industry best practices for preventing XSS attacks.