CVE-2012-0040 in SimpleSAMLphp
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in modules/core/www/no_cookie.php in SimpleSAMLphp 1.8.1 and possibly other versions before 1.8.2 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the retryURL parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/29/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-0040 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the SimpleSAMLphp authentication framework, specifically affecting versions 1.8.1 and earlier. This issue resides in the modules/core/www/no_cookie.php file where the application fails to properly sanitize user input before incorporating it into web responses. The vulnerability manifests when attackers manipulate the retryURL parameter, which is used to redirect users after authentication attempts. This particular implementation flaw allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content that gets executed in the context of other users' browsers, creating a persistent security risk for organizations relying on this identity management solution.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the improper handling of the retryURL parameter, which is directly reflected in the application's output without adequate input validation or output encoding. When SimpleSAMLphp processes authentication flows and encounters cookie-related issues, it redirects users to the retryURL specified in the request. However, the application does not sufficiently escape or validate this parameter before including it in HTML responses, creating an opportunity for attackers to inject malicious scripts. This vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws where applications fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data before incorporating it into dynamically generated web content. The flaw enables attackers to execute scripts in victims' browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or unauthorized actions performed on behalf of authenticated users.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-0040 extends beyond simple script injection, as it can facilitate more sophisticated attacks within the context of the affected authentication infrastructure. Organizations using SimpleSAMLphp for single sign-on operations face significant risks when this vulnerability is exploited, as attackers could manipulate the authentication flow to redirect users to malicious sites or inject content that appears legitimate within the trusted authentication domain. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires no privileged access or authentication to exploit, making it a low-hanging fruit for threat actors targeting identity management systems. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 which covers credential harvesting through phishing and social engineering, as the injected scripts could be used to capture user credentials or session tokens. The impact is amplified in environments where SimpleSAMLphp serves as a central authentication point for multiple applications, as a successful attack could compromise access to multiple systems within the organization's ecosystem.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including upgrading to SimpleSAMLphp version 1.8.2 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address this vulnerability. Additionally, administrators should consider implementing input validation mechanisms at the application level to sanitize all user-supplied parameters before processing, particularly those used in URL redirection contexts. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can provide additional defense-in-depth measures, though they should not replace proper application-level fixes. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and output encoding practices, particularly in applications handling authentication flows and user redirects. Security teams should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments of their identity management infrastructure to identify similar issues in other components and ensure comprehensive protection against similar cross-site scripting attacks that could compromise the entire authentication ecosystem.