CVE-2011-1670 in InTerra Blog Machine
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in actions/add.php in InTerra Blog Machine 1.84, and possibly earlier versions, allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the subject parameter to post_url/edit.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/21/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-1670 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the InTerra Blog Machine content management system version 1.84 and potentially earlier releases. This security weakness resides in the actions/add.php script which processes user input without proper sanitization or validation mechanisms. The vulnerability specifically targets the subject parameter within the post_url/edit functionality, creating an avenue for malicious actors to execute unauthorized scripts in the context of affected user browsers. Such flaws typically emerge from inadequate input validation practices where developers fail to properly escape or filter user-supplied data before incorporating it into dynamic web content.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows a well-established pattern within the realm of web application security. Attackers can craft malicious payloads containing script code within the subject field of blog posts, which then gets executed when other users view the affected content. This type of vulnerability directly maps to CWE-79, which defines Cross-Site Scripting as a weakness where untrusted data is incorporated into web pages without proper validation or escaping. The attack vector leverages the application's failure to implement proper output encoding or sanitization techniques, allowing attackers to inject HTML or JavaScript code that persists in the application's database and executes in the browsers of unsuspecting users.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or defacement. When successful, XSS attacks can lead to session hijacking, credential theft, and the execution of malicious commands on behalf of authenticated users. The compromised users may unknowingly perform actions within the application that they did not authorize, potentially leading to complete account takeovers or unauthorized modifications to blog content. Given that this vulnerability affects a blogging platform, attackers could leverage it to inject malicious advertisements, redirect users to phishing sites, or establish persistent backdoors through more sophisticated attack chains. The vulnerability's persistence is particularly concerning as the injected scripts remain active until manually removed from the database, creating long-term exposure for all users who view affected content.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-1670 should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application. The most effective approach involves sanitizing all user input parameters, particularly those used in dynamic content generation, using proper HTML entity encoding before rendering any user-supplied data in web pages. Organizations should implement Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution capabilities and employ regular security testing including automated scanning and manual penetration testing to identify similar vulnerabilities. The remediation process requires developers to validate input length, format, and content against predefined acceptable patterns while ensuring that all output is properly escaped for the specific context in which it appears. Additionally, regular security updates and patch management processes should be implemented to address similar vulnerabilities that may exist in the underlying framework or libraries used by the InTerra Blog Machine platform. This vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566, which covers social engineering through spearphishing, as attackers can exploit such flaws to establish initial access through crafted malicious blog content that users might inadvertently interact with.