CVE-2011-0911 in Application Framework
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Users module in Zikula before 1.2.5 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors. NOTE: it is possible that this overlaps CVE-2011-0535.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/09/2018
The cross-site scripting vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-0911 affects the Users module in Zikula content management system versions prior to 1.2.5. This vulnerability represents a classic client-side attack vector that enables remote threat actors to inject malicious web scripts or HTML content into web applications. The flaw exists within the user management functionality of the platform, making it particularly dangerous as it targets the core user interaction components of the system. The unspecified attack vectors suggest that multiple entry points within the Users module could potentially be exploited, increasing the attack surface and making remediation more complex. Security researchers have noted that this vulnerability may overlap with CVE-2011-0535, indicating a potential pattern of similar weaknesses within the same software ecosystem.
The technical implementation of this XSS vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output sanitization within the Zikula Users module. When users interact with the module, particularly during user registration, profile editing, or authentication processes, the application fails to properly sanitize user-supplied data before rendering it in web pages. This allows attackers to craft malicious payloads that get executed in the context of other users' browsers when they view affected pages. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and requires no special privileges to exploit, making it accessible to anyone with network access to the vulnerable system. The attack typically involves embedding malicious script tags or JavaScript code within user input fields that are then reflected back to other users without proper encoding or filtering.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or defacement. Attackers can leverage this weakness to hijack user sessions, redirect victims to malicious websites, steal sensitive information, or perform unauthorized actions on behalf of authenticated users. The Users module typically handles sensitive user data including usernames, email addresses, and potentially personal information, making it a valuable target for threat actors. The vulnerability's presence in a content management system means that successful exploitation could compromise entire websites or web applications that rely on Zikula for their user management functionality. Organizations using affected versions of Zikula face significant risk of unauthorized access, data breaches, and potential compromise of user accounts.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-0911 primarily involve upgrading to Zikula version 1.2.5 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the XSS vulnerability. System administrators should also implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms to prevent similar issues in other parts of their web applications. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide additional defense-in-depth measures against XSS attacks. Security teams should conduct regular vulnerability assessments and maintain up-to-date threat intelligence to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring systems to detect potential exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and represents a common technique used in the initial access phase of many cyber attack campaigns as categorized under ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter.