CVE-2011-1405 in Mahara
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Mahara before 1.3.6 allows remote authenticated users to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via vectors associated with HTML e-mail messages, related to artefact/comment/lib.php and interaction/forum/lib.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/07/2021
The CVE-2011-1405 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw discovered in the Mahara learning management system prior to version 1.3.6. This vulnerability specifically targets the handling of HTML email messages within the platform, creating a dangerous attack vector that allows authenticated users to execute malicious scripts in the context of other users' browsers. The flaw exists in two primary locations within the codebase namely artefact/comment/lib.php and interaction/forum/lib.php, which are responsible for processing and displaying user-generated content in forum discussions and artifact comments.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the Mahara platform's message handling systems. When authenticated users submit HTML content through email messages, the application fails to properly sanitize or escape special characters that could be interpreted as executable script code. This weakness enables attackers to embed malicious javascript payloads within forum posts or artifact comments that will execute whenever other users view these messages. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires only authentication to the system, meaning that any user with valid credentials can exploit this flaw to compromise other users. The attack operates through the standard web application request-response cycle where user input flows through the application's processing layers and is subsequently rendered in the browser without proper security controls.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with the capability to perform session hijacking, data theft, and privilege escalation within the Mahara environment. An attacker could craft malicious posts that steal session cookies, redirect users to phishing sites, or even modify content within the learning management system. The vulnerability affects the core functionality of Mahara's collaborative features, particularly forum interactions and artifact comment systems, making it a significant threat to the platform's integrity and user security. According to CWE classification, this represents a CWE-79: Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, which specifically addresses the failure to properly encode or escape user-provided data before including it in web pages. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001: Phishing, as it enables the creation of malicious web content that can be used to trick users into executing harmful code.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of the affected Mahara versions to 1.3.6 or later, which includes proper input sanitization and output encoding mechanisms. Organizations should implement comprehensive content filtering policies that enforce strict validation of all user-generated HTML content, particularly in forum and comment sections. Additionally, security measures should include implementing proper output encoding for all dynamic content, enforcing strict Content Security Policy headers, and conducting regular security audits of web application input handling. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure coding practices and proper input validation in web applications, particularly those handling user-generated content. Regular security training for developers on XSS prevention techniques and implementation of automated security scanning tools can help prevent similar vulnerabilities in future releases of the platform. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring systems to detect and prevent exploitation attempts of this type of vulnerability.