CVE-2011-4345 in Namazu
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Namazu before 2.0.21, when Internet Explorer 6 or 7 is used, allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via a cookie.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/27/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-4345 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw affecting the Namazu search engine software prior to version 2.0.21. This vulnerability specifically manifests when the affected system operates in conjunction with Internet Explorer 6 or 7 browsers, creating a targeted attack surface that exploits legacy browser security mechanisms. The issue stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization of cookie data, allowing malicious actors to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content through manipulated cookie values. This particular variant demonstrates how browser-specific vulnerabilities can compound software security weaknesses, creating exploitable conditions that leverage the distinct characteristics of older browser implementations. The vulnerability operates at the application layer, specifically within the cookie handling mechanisms of the Namazu search engine, where user-supplied data from cookies is not properly escaped or validated before being rendered in web responses. This flaw falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which encompasses various methods of injecting malicious scripts into web applications. The attack vector specifically targets the cookie storage and retrieval process, where cookie values are processed without sufficient sanitization measures to prevent script injection. When Internet Explorer 6 or 7 encounters the malicious cookie content, the browser's rendering engine executes the injected scripts within the context of the vulnerable application, potentially allowing attackers to perform actions on behalf of users. The operational impact extends beyond simple script execution, as this vulnerability could enable session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites. Attackers could leverage this weakness to establish persistent access to user sessions, particularly in environments where users maintain long-running browser sessions with the vulnerable search engine. The vulnerability's exploitation requires the victim to have their browser set to use Internet Explorer 6 or 7, which limits the attack surface but does not eliminate the risk in legacy environments where these older browsers may still be in use. Organizations maintaining systems with older browser support requirements face heightened risk, as the vulnerability can be exploited through standard web traffic without requiring special privileges or complex attack chains. The security implications also extend to potential data exfiltration and user impersonation, as successful exploitation could allow attackers to access sensitive information or perform unauthorized actions within the application context. Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate software updates to version 2.0.21 or later, which would address the cookie handling validation issues. Additionally, administrators should implement proper input sanitization measures for all cookie data, including HTML escaping and content validation. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can provide additional defense in depth, though the most effective approach remains patching the vulnerable software. Organizations should also consider browser compatibility requirements and phase out support for legacy browsers that exhibit known security limitations. The vulnerability exemplifies how seemingly minor input handling flaws can create significant security risks, particularly when combined with specific browser behaviors that may not properly sanitize script content. This case highlights the importance of comprehensive testing across different browser environments and the need for robust input validation practices in web applications. The attack scenario demonstrates the potential for privilege escalation through session manipulation and the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches across all system components. Security teams should implement monitoring for suspicious cookie values and establish incident response procedures for potential XSS exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also underscores the ATT&CK framework's relevance in understanding how attackers might leverage browser-specific weaknesses to establish persistent access and execute malicious code within user sessions.