CVE-2011-1668 in AR Web Content Manager
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in search.php in AR Web Content Manager (AWCM) 2.1, 2.2, and possibly other versions allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the search parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/04/2024
The CVE-2011-1668 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw discovered in the AR Web Content Manager version 2.1 and 2.2, with potential prevalence in other iterations of the software. This vulnerability specifically affects the search.php component within the web content management system, creating a significant security risk for organizations relying on this platform for content delivery and management. The flaw resides in how the application processes user input through the search parameter, failing to properly sanitize or encode data before rendering it back to users within web pages. This oversight enables malicious actors to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML code that executes in the context of other users' browsers when they view search results or interact with the vulnerable application interface. The vulnerability classifies under CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting conditions where applications fail to properly validate or encode user-controllable data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as it creates a persistent threat vector that can be exploited by attackers to manipulate user sessions, steal sensitive information, or redirect users to malicious websites. When an attacker crafts a malicious search query containing embedded script tags or HTML code, any user who views the search results will unknowingly execute the injected code within their browser context. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous for content management systems where multiple users interact with the platform, as it can lead to widespread compromise of user sessions and potential data breaches. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal technical skill and can be automated, making it attractive to threat actors seeking to maximize impact with minimal effort.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in relation to the broader ATT&CK framework, particularly under the T1059.007 technique for scripting languages and T1566.001 for malicious file delivery through web applications. The vulnerability essentially provides an entry point for attackers to establish persistent access through browser-based attacks, potentially leading to further exploitation within the network environment. Organizations using affected versions of AR Web Content Manager should immediately implement mitigations including input validation, output encoding, and proper sanitization of all user-controllable parameters. The recommended approach involves implementing strict validation for the search parameter in search.php, ensuring that all user input is properly escaped or encoded before being rendered in web responses. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls and content security policies to provide additional layers of protection against such attacks. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of proper input validation and output encoding practices in web application development, particularly in content management systems where user-generated content is frequently processed and displayed.