CVE-2011-2079 in MediaCAST
Summary
by MITRE
MediaCAST 8 and earlier allows remote attackers to have an unspecified impact via a (1) CP_RIGHTSOURCE or (2) bdclient_Inventive cookie to the default URI under inventivex/managetraining/, related to an "XML injection" issue.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/09/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-2079 affects MediaCAST versions 8 and earlier, specifically targeting the inventivex/managetraining/ URI path where the system processes CP_RIGHTSOURCE and bdclient_Inventive cookies. This represents a critical security flaw that enables remote attackers to manipulate the application's behavior through cookie-based input validation issues. The vulnerability stems from insufficient sanitization of user-supplied data within the cookie parameters, creating an environment where malicious inputs can be processed without proper validation mechanisms. The unspecified impact suggests that the vulnerability could potentially lead to various security consequences including but not limited to unauthorized access, data manipulation, or system compromise. The affected MediaCAST system appears to process these cookies within a context that allows XML processing, making it susceptible to XML injection attacks where crafted cookie values could influence the XML parser's behavior. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the application layer and can be exploited without requiring local system access, making it an attractive target for remote attackers.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the improper handling of cookie data within the MediaCAST application's processing pipeline. When the system receives CP_RIGHTSOURCE or bdclient_Inventive cookies, it appears to directly incorporate these values into XML processing operations without adequate sanitization or validation. This creates an XML injection vector where attackers can inject malicious XML content through cookie values that get processed by the XML parser. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-91 - XML Injection and potentially CWE-77 - Command Injection if the XML processing leads to command execution. The attack surface is extended through the default URI path inventivex/managetraining/, which suggests that the vulnerability exists in a commonly accessible administrative or management interface. This makes the attack more feasible as it doesn't require specialized knowledge of obscure paths or additional reconnaissance to identify the vulnerable endpoint. The system's failure to properly validate or sanitize cookie inputs before processing them in XML contexts represents a fundamental flaw in input validation and data sanitization practices.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data manipulation to potentially enable full system compromise. Remote attackers could exploit this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to training management functionalities, manipulate training records, or potentially escalate privileges within the MediaCAST system. The unspecified nature of the impact suggests that depending on the system configuration and the specific XML processing logic, attackers might be able to extract sensitive information, modify system configurations, or even execute arbitrary code if the XML processing chain leads to command execution. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of the MediaCAST system's data processing capabilities, potentially allowing attackers to corrupt training data or gain unauthorized access to privileged functions. Organizations using MediaCAST 8 or earlier versions face significant risk as this vulnerability could be exploited by attackers with minimal technical expertise, given the accessible nature of cookie-based attacks and the prevalence of XML injection vulnerabilities in web applications. The attack could result in unauthorized access to sensitive training data, manipulation of training records, or potential disruption of educational services provided through the MediaCAST platform.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-2079 should prioritize immediate remediation through upgrading to MediaCAST versions that address this vulnerability, as the affected versions are outdated and likely contain additional unpatched security flaws. Organizations should implement comprehensive cookie validation and sanitization mechanisms that filter or escape any potentially malicious content before processing cookie values in XML contexts. The implementation of proper input validation controls, including the use of allowlists for cookie values and strict XML parsing configurations, would significantly reduce the attack surface. Network-level defenses such as web application firewalls should be configured to monitor and block suspicious cookie patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts. Security teams should also conduct thorough assessments of the MediaCAST system's XML processing logic to identify and remediate any additional injection vectors that might exist within the application. Regular security testing including penetration testing and vulnerability scanning should be implemented to detect similar issues in other parts of the system. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of implementing defense-in-depth strategies that include both application-level security controls and network-based protections to prevent exploitation of input validation flaws. Organizations should also consider implementing monitoring and alerting mechanisms to detect unusual cookie behavior patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing to ensure that the applied fixes don't introduce new functionality issues while effectively addressing the XML injection vulnerability. Given the age of the affected MediaCAST versions, organizations should also plan for complete system migration to supported platforms to avoid similar vulnerabilities in the future, as older software versions often contain multiple unpatched security issues that create cumulative risk.