CVE-2012-0327 in Redmine
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Redmine before 1.3.2 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/01/2021
The CVE-2012-0327 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw discovered in Redmine versions prior to 1.3.2, fundamentally compromising the security integrity of web applications that rely on this project management platform. This vulnerability classifies under CWE-79 as a failure to sanitize user input, creating an avenue for malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts within the context of authenticated user sessions. The vulnerability's presence in Redmine's core functionality means that any web application utilizing this platform becomes susceptible to client-side attacks that can persistently compromise user browsers and potentially escalate to more severe security breaches.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within Redmine's web interface components. Attackers can exploit this weakness through unspecified vectors that likely involve user-controllable parameters in the application's web forms, API endpoints, or URL parameters. The vulnerability allows remote attackers to inject malicious HTML or JavaScript code that executes in the browser of unsuspecting users who visit affected pages or interact with compromised content. This injection typically occurs when user-provided data is directly rendered in web pages without proper sanitization or encoding, creating a persistent XSS attack vector that can be leveraged for session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-0327 extends beyond simple data theft, as it enables attackers to manipulate the user experience and potentially gain unauthorized access to sensitive project information. When exploited successfully, this vulnerability can facilitate session fixation attacks, where attackers can hijack authenticated user sessions and gain administrative privileges within the Redmine environment. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that Redmine is widely used for managing sensitive project data, issue tracking, and collaborative development environments where users frequently interact with the platform. The vulnerability's remote exploitation capability means that attackers can compromise systems without requiring physical access or local network presence, making it a particularly dangerous threat vector for organizations relying on Redmine for their project management needs.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement comprehensive mitigation strategies that include upgrading to Redmine version 1.3.2 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the XSS flaw. The remediation process should also involve implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application, utilizing Content Security Policy headers to restrict script execution, and conducting thorough security assessments of existing user content. Security teams should also consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring for suspicious user input patterns that might indicate attempted exploitation. The vulnerability's classification under ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter indicates that attackers might leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access through script-based attacks, making immediate remediation essential for maintaining organizational security posture. Additionally, regular security training for developers on secure coding practices and input validation techniques can help prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in future versions of the platform.