CVE-2011-0773 in PivotX
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in pivotx/modules/module_image.php in PivotX before 2.2.3 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the image parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/08/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-0773 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the PivotX content management system, specifically affecting versions prior to 2.2.3. This security weakness resides in the module_image.php file which processes image-related functionality within the system's module architecture. The flaw manifests when the application fails to properly sanitize user input passed through the image parameter, creating an avenue for malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of other users' browsers. Such vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous as they can persist within the application's execution environment and affect all users who interact with the vulnerable functionality.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which categorizes cross-site scripting as a code injection flaw where untrusted data is improperly incorporated into web pages without adequate validation or sanitization. The attack vector involves remote exploitation where attackers can craft malicious payloads and inject them through the image parameter, which is then processed and rendered in subsequent web page displays. This particular implementation flaw demonstrates poor input validation practices and highlights the critical importance of sanitizing all user-supplied data before it is processed or displayed within web applications. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be exploited through various methods including direct injection into URL parameters or through forms that accept image-related input.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as it can enable more sophisticated attacks such as session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites. When exploited, the vulnerability allows attackers to execute scripts in the context of authenticated users, potentially compromising user sessions and enabling privilege escalation attacks. The persistent nature of XSS vulnerabilities means that malicious scripts can remain active within the application until manually removed or the vulnerability is patched, creating ongoing security risks for organizations using affected versions of PivotX. This type of vulnerability also undermines user trust in the application and can result in significant reputational damage.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-0773 should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems to version 2.2.3 or later, which contains the necessary fixes to properly sanitize input parameters. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in other parts of their web applications. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide additional defense-in-depth measures against XSS attacks by restricting the sources from which scripts can be loaded. Security teams should conduct thorough code reviews focusing on input handling and sanitization practices, particularly within module-based architectures where user-supplied data may pass through multiple processing layers. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be implemented to identify and remediate similar weaknesses across the entire application portfolio, aligning with ATT&CK framework techniques related to command and control and credential access through web application exploitation.