CVE-2011-4572 in CF Image Hosting Script
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in inc/tesmodrewite.php in CF Image Hosting Script 1.3.82, 1.4.1, and probably other versions before 1.4.2 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the q parameter. NOTE: this was originally reported as a file disclosure vulnerability, but this is likely inaccurate.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/07/2024
The CVE-2011-4572 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in the CF Image Hosting Script version 1.3.82 and 1.4.1, with potential impact extending to other pre-1.4.2 versions. This vulnerability specifically affects the inc/tesmodrewite.php component of the application, which serves as a core module for URL rewriting functionality. The flaw manifests through improper input validation and sanitization of user-supplied data, creating an exploitable entry point for malicious actors seeking to compromise the web application. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-79, which describes improper neutralization of input during web output, making it a classic example of client-side code injection vulnerability. The security implications extend beyond simple script injection, as this flaw can be leveraged for session hijacking, credential theft, and broader exploitation of the affected system.
The technical exploitation mechanism relies on the q parameter within the application's URL structure, which is processed without adequate sanitization measures. When a user submits a request containing malicious content in the q parameter, the application fails to properly escape or validate this input before rendering it in the web response. This creates a persistent XSS vulnerability where attackers can inject arbitrary HTML and JavaScript code that executes in the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability's severity stems from its ability to bypass standard security controls and directly manipulate the application's output rendering process. Attackers can craft malicious URLs that, when visited by unsuspecting users, execute malicious scripts in their browsers, potentially stealing cookies, session tokens, or redirecting users to phishing sites.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-4572 extends beyond immediate exploitation to broader system compromise and data integrity violations. Organizations running affected versions of CF Image Hosting Script face significant risk of unauthorized access, data exfiltration, and potential system infiltration. The vulnerability's presence in URL rewriting functionality makes it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered through various navigation paths within the application. This flaw aligns with ATT&CK technique T1531, which covers "Modify System Image" through the manipulation of web application components, and T1566, which addresses "Phishing" via the injection of malicious content into web pages. The vulnerability's exploitation can result in complete compromise of user sessions and unauthorized access to sensitive data stored within the application's database.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-4572 require immediate implementation of input validation and output encoding measures. Organizations should upgrade to CF Image Hosting Script version 1.4.2 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address this vulnerability. Additionally, implementing proper parameter validation and sanitization techniques, such as using whitelist validation for input parameters and implementing Content Security Policy headers, can significantly reduce the attack surface. The fix should include escaping special characters in user-supplied input before processing, particularly for parameters that are rendered in HTML contexts. Security measures should also incorporate regular security testing and code review processes to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components. Organizations should monitor for exploitation attempts and implement web application firewalls to detect and block malicious requests targeting this specific vulnerability pattern. The remediation process should also include user education about the risks of visiting untrusted URLs and the importance of maintaining updated software versions to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities.