CVE-2011-4616 in HTML-Template-Pro
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the HTML-Template-Pro module before 0.9507 for Perl allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via template parameters, related to improper handling of > (greater than) and < (less than) characters.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/28/2021
The CVE-2011-4616 vulnerability represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the HTML-Template-Pro Perl module, a widely used component for generating dynamic web content. This vulnerability specifically affects versions prior to 0.9507 and demonstrates a critical failure in input sanitization mechanisms that directly impacts web application security. The flaw arises from inadequate handling of HTML metacharacters, particularly the greater than and less than symbols that serve as fundamental delimiters in HTML markup structures. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious template parameters that contain script payloads, thereby enabling unauthorized execution of malicious code within victim browsers.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which categorizes cross-site scripting flaws as weaknesses in web applications that allow attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users. The improper handling of HTML special characters in the template processing engine creates an opening for attackers to bypass normal security filters and inject executable content directly into the web application's output stream. When the module processes template parameters containing unescaped HTML entities, the greater than and less than characters are not properly escaped or filtered, allowing attackers to inject script tags or other malicious HTML content that executes in the context of the victim's browser session.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as it enables attackers to establish persistent malicious presence within web applications. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can execute arbitrary JavaScript code within the victim's browser context, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it affects the template processing layer itself, meaning that any web application using the affected module and processing user-supplied template parameters becomes vulnerable to this attack vector. This creates a broad attack surface that can compromise multiple applications simultaneously, especially in environments where the HTML-Template-Pro module is commonly deployed.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-4616 should focus on immediate version upgrades to 0.9507 or later, which contain proper input sanitization mechanisms. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation at multiple layers including template parameter processing, and employ automated security scanning tools to identify vulnerable applications. The implementation of Content Security Policies and proper output encoding practices can provide additional defense-in-depth measures against similar vulnerabilities. Security teams should also consider the ATT&CK framework's technique T1059.007 for command and script injection, which encompasses the exploitation patterns that leverage such XSS vulnerabilities. Regular security assessments and dependency monitoring are essential to prevent similar issues from arising in other web application components that may exhibit similar input handling flaws.