CVE-2011-5185 in Online Subtitles Workshop
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in video_comments.php in Online Subtitles Workshop before 2.0 rev 131 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the comment parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/28/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-5185 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the Online Subtitles Workshop web application. This security weakness exists in the video_comments.php script of versions prior to 2.0 revision 131, making it susceptible to malicious injection attacks that can compromise user sessions and data integrity. The vulnerability specifically manifests when user-supplied input from the comment parameter is not properly sanitized or validated before being rendered back to users. This allows attackers to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of other users' browsers, creating a persistent security risk that affects the entire user base of the application.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows the standard XSS attack pattern where malicious input is embedded into web pages viewed by other users. When a user submits a comment containing malicious script code through the comment parameter, this input is processed by the video_comments.php script without adequate output encoding or validation. The flaw falls under CWE-79 which categorizes improper neutralization of input during web output, specifically targeting the failure to sanitize user-supplied data before incorporating it into dynamic web content. The vulnerability enables attackers to perform various malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, defacement of content, and redirection to malicious sites. The impact extends beyond simple data corruption as it can lead to complete compromise of user accounts and unauthorized access to sensitive information within the application environment.
The operational consequences of this vulnerability are significant for any organization using the Online Subtitles Workshop platform. Users who interact with the comment functionality become potential victims of persistent XSS attacks, where malicious scripts can execute automatically whenever they view affected pages. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to steal session cookies, redirect users to phishing sites, inject malicious advertisements, or even modify content displayed to other users. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it requires no special privileges or access to the system itself, making it an attractive target for attackers seeking to exploit user trust. This vulnerability undermines the fundamental security assumptions of web applications and can lead to cascading effects throughout the application's user base, potentially affecting multiple users simultaneously.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-5185 should focus on implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms. The most effective approach involves sanitizing all user input through comprehensive validation that removes or encodes potentially dangerous characters before processing. Implementing Content Security Policy headers can provide additional defense-in-depth measures by restricting the sources from which scripts can be loaded. Regular security updates and patches should be applied immediately upon availability, as the vulnerability was addressed in revision 2.0.131 of the Online Subtitles Workshop. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious input patterns, and conduct regular security testing including automated scanning and manual penetration testing to identify similar vulnerabilities. The remediation process should include thorough code review of all input handling mechanisms and implementation of secure coding practices that prevent similar issues from occurring in future development cycles. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security measures and proper input validation as outlined in the ATT&CK framework's techniques for command and control through web application exploitation.