CVE-2011-4170 in empathy
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the theme_adium_append_message function in empathy-theme-adium.c in the Adium theme in libempathy-gtk in Empathy 3.2.1 and earlier allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via a crafted alias (aka nickname) in a /me event, a different vulnerability than CVE-2011-3635.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/24/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-4170 represents a cross-site scripting weakness in the Empathy instant messaging client's Adium theme implementation. This flaw exists within the theme_adium_append_message function located in empathy-theme-adium.c within the libempathy-gtk library. The vulnerability specifically affects Empathy versions 3.2.1 and earlier, making them susceptible to malicious web script injection attacks. The security issue arises from improper input validation and sanitization of user-provided data, particularly when processing /me events that contain crafted aliases or nicknames. This vulnerability operates as a client-side attack vector where remote adversaries can manipulate the messaging interface to execute malicious code in the context of the victim's browser session.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of alias fields in /me events, which are commonly used in instant messaging to indicate user actions such as "user is typing" or "user is away." When the Adium theme processes these events, it fails to properly escape or validate special characters in the alias field, allowing attackers to inject HTML tags or JavaScript code. This creates a persistent XSS condition where malicious payloads can be stored and executed whenever the affected interface renders the compromised message. The vulnerability differs from CVE-2011-3635 in that it specifically targets the theme rendering component rather than other parts of the messaging infrastructure, making it a more targeted attack surface. The flaw aligns with CWE-79, which describes cross-site scripting vulnerabilities where untrusted data is improperly incorporated into web pages without adequate validation or escaping mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform various malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, and redirection to malicious websites. When a user views a compromised /me message containing malicious code, the injected scripts execute within the context of the Empathy application's user interface, potentially compromising the user's communication session. This threat is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where instant messaging clients are widely used for business communications, as successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive corporate data. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality and integrity of communications by allowing unauthorized parties to manipulate the messaging interface and potentially intercept or alter message content.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-4170 should focus on immediate patching of affected Empathy versions, with users upgrading to versions 3.2.2 or later where the vulnerability has been resolved. System administrators should implement network-level filtering to block suspicious message content and consider disabling the Adium theme functionality until proper security updates are applied. The fix typically involves implementing proper input sanitization and output escaping mechanisms in the theme_adium_append_message function to ensure that all user-provided aliases are properly escaped before being rendered in the interface. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual message patterns that might indicate attempted XSS attacks, and user education about the risks of accepting messages from untrusted sources remains crucial. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies to restrict the execution of potentially malicious code within the messaging environment. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation in GUI applications and highlights how seemingly benign user interface elements can become attack vectors when inadequate sanitization measures are implemented, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1059 for command and scripting interpreter usage through client-side exploitation methods.