CVE-2011-4333 in LabWiki
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in LabWiki 1.1 and earlier allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) from parameter to index.php or the (2) page_no parameter to recentchanges.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/24/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-4333 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting LabWiki versions 1.1 and earlier. This security weakness resides in the web application's handling of user-supplied input parameters, specifically targeting two distinct entry points within the application's interface. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user data before it is rendered back to web browsers. These XSS vulnerabilities create a pathway for remote attackers to execute malicious scripts within the context of authenticated user sessions, potentially compromising user confidentiality and integrity. The affected parameters include the 'from' parameter in index.php and the 'page_no' parameter in recentchanges.php, both of which are commonly used navigation elements within the wiki application's user interface. This flaw directly maps to CWE-79, which defines cross-site scripting vulnerabilities as weaknesses that occur when an application includes untrusted data in a new web page without proper validation or escaping, or when it reuses a trust decision improperly.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it enables attackers to manipulate the application's behavior and potentially escalate privileges within user sessions. An attacker could exploit these vulnerabilities to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious websites, or inject malicious content that appears legitimate to end users. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation does not require physical access to the system or local network privileges, making it particularly dangerous for web applications that handle sensitive information. The vulnerability affects the core functionality of LabWiki by allowing unauthorized modification of the user interface and potentially compromising the trust relationship between users and the application. This type of vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which encompasses scripting and command execution through web interfaces, and demonstrates how web application flaws can be leveraged for broader attack vectors.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-4333 must focus on implementing robust input validation and output encoding practices throughout the application's codebase. The primary remediation involves sanitizing all user-supplied input parameters before they are processed or rendered back to users, particularly for the affected parameters in both index.php and recentchanges.php. Developers should implement proper HTML escaping techniques for all dynamic content and utilize parameterized queries where appropriate to prevent injection attacks. Additionally, the application should employ Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to limit the sources from which scripts can be executed, providing an additional layer of protection against XSS exploitation. Regular security audits and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components, while application developers should ensure that all third-party libraries and frameworks are kept up to date with the latest security patches. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of following secure coding practices and implementing defense-in-depth strategies, as outlined in industry standards such as OWASP Top Ten and NIST Cybersecurity Framework, to prevent similar issues from arising in future development cycles.