CVE-2011-3010 in TWiki
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in TWiki before 5.1.0 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via (1) the newtopic parameter in a WebCreateNewTopic action, related to the TWiki.WebCreateNewTopicTemplate topic; or (2) the query string to SlideShow.pm in the SlideShowPlugin.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/21/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2011-3010 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting TWiki versions prior to 5.1.0, specifically targeting the WebCreateNewTopic action and SlideShowPlugin functionality. This vulnerability exposes TWiki installations to remote code execution through malicious web script injection, creating significant security risks for organizations relying on this collaborative platform for documentation and knowledge management. The flaw exists in the application's handling of user input parameters without proper sanitization or validation, allowing attackers to inject malicious payloads that execute in the context of other users' browsers.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through two distinct attack vectors that exploit different components of the TWiki application. The first vector targets the newtopic parameter within the WebCreateNewTopic action, where user input is directly incorporated into the TWiki.WebCreateNewTopicTemplate topic without adequate filtering. This allows attackers to manipulate the topic creation process by injecting malicious HTML or JavaScript code that gets executed when the topic is subsequently viewed by other users. The second vector exploits the SlideShowPlugin's SlideShow.pm component, where the query string parameters are processed without proper sanitization, enabling attackers to inject malicious scripts through slide show functionality that may be accessed by multiple users.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates severe consequences for TWiki deployments, as it allows attackers to establish persistent malicious presence within the application environment. The impact extends beyond simple script injection, potentially enabling session hijacking, credential theft, and data exfiltration attacks against authenticated users. The vulnerability's remote nature means attackers can exploit it without requiring local access or authentication, making it particularly dangerous for publicly accessible TWiki installations. Organizations using TWiki for collaborative workspaces, documentation systems, or internal knowledge bases face significant risk of unauthorized access and data compromise when running vulnerable versions.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws in web applications, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with ATT&CK technique T1566 for initial access through malicious web content. Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including upgrading to TWiki version 5.1.0 or later, implementing proper input validation and output encoding for all user-supplied parameters, and deploying web application firewalls to detect and block malicious requests. Additionally, security teams should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments of all TWiki installations, implement content security policies, and establish monitoring procedures to detect potential exploitation attempts. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing of the patched version to ensure that all XSS vectors have been properly addressed and that existing functionality remains intact.
The broader implications of this vulnerability highlight the importance of maintaining up-to-date security practices in collaborative software environments. Organizations should establish regular patch management procedures and security monitoring protocols to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited in other applications. The vulnerability also underscores the critical need for proper input validation and output encoding practices in web development, as these fundamental security measures can prevent the majority of XSS-related attacks. Security teams must prioritize continuous assessment of their web applications and ensure that all user input is properly sanitized before being processed or displayed to prevent exploitation of similar vulnerabilities in the future.