CVE-2011-5205 in Rapidleech
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in audl.php in Rapidleech 2.3 rev42 SVN r358, rev43 SVN r397, and earlier allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the links parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/22/2019
The CVE-2011-5205 vulnerability represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw in the Rapidleech web application version 2.3 rev42 SVN r358, rev43 SVN r397, and earlier versions. This vulnerability resides within the audl.php component of the application, which is designed for handling download links and related functionalities. The flaw allows remote attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of a victim's browser by manipulating the links parameter, making it a significant security risk for any user interacting with the vulnerable application. This type of vulnerability directly violates the principle of input validation and demonstrates poor security practices in web application development.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when the audl.php script fails to properly sanitize or escape user-supplied input from the links parameter before rendering it in the web page output. When a malicious actor crafts a specially formatted URL containing script code within the links parameter, the vulnerable application processes this input without adequate filtering mechanisms. The unfiltered input gets embedded directly into the HTML response sent to the victim's browser, where it executes as legitimate script code. This process creates a persistent XSS vector that can be leveraged for session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, and represents a direct violation of secure coding practices outlined in the OWASP Top Ten.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-5205 extends beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with the capability to manipulate user sessions and potentially gain unauthorized access to sensitive data. A successful exploitation could allow an attacker to steal session cookies, modify user preferences, or redirect victims to phishing sites designed to capture login credentials. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in environments where Rapidleech is used for sharing download links, as users may unknowingly click on malicious links that trigger the XSS attack. The persistent nature of this flaw means that any user who accesses a compromised page could become a victim, making it a significant threat to the overall security posture of systems utilizing the vulnerable software. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1531 - Account Access Token Manipulation and T1059 - Command and Scripting Interpreter, as attackers can leverage the XSS to execute malicious code and potentially escalate privileges.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-5205 require immediate attention through software updates and input validation improvements. Organizations should prioritize upgrading to a patched version of Rapidleech that addresses this vulnerability, as the affected versions are no longer supported and lack security updates. Additionally, implementing proper input sanitization measures, including the use of HTML escaping functions and parameter validation, can prevent malicious payloads from being executed. The application should employ Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution capabilities and prevent unauthorized code injection. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can provide additional layers of defense, while security awareness training for users can help identify and avoid suspicious links that may exploit this vulnerability. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be implemented to prevent similar issues in future development cycles, ensuring compliance with security standards such as those defined in ISO 27001 and NIST cybersecurity frameworks.