CVE-2012-0975 in Image Hosting Script DPI
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in misc.php in Image Hosting Script DPI 1.0, 1.3, and earlier allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the showseries parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/15/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-0975 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Image Hosting Script DPI 1.0 and 1.3 versions, specifically affecting the misc.php component. This security weakness enables remote attackers to execute malicious web scripts or HTML code through manipulation of the showseries parameter, creating a significant risk for web applications that rely on user-generated content processing. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the script's parameter handling system, allowing malicious payloads to bypass security controls and execute within the context of legitimate user sessions.
The technical implementation of this XSS vulnerability occurs when the application fails to properly sanitize user input passed through the showseries parameter in the misc.php file. When the application processes this parameter without adequate validation or encoding, it directly incorporates user-supplied data into dynamically generated web pages. This flaw aligns with CWE-79 which categorizes cross-site scripting as a critical weakness in web application security, specifically addressing the improper handling of untrusted data in web applications. The vulnerability exists in the application's data flow where user input transitions from the request parameter to the response output without proper sanitization, creating an attack surface that adversaries can exploit to inject malicious scripts.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to perform session hijacking, deface web pages, steal user credentials, or redirect victims to malicious websites. Attackers can craft specially formatted URLs containing malicious JavaScript code within the showseries parameter, which when processed by the vulnerable application, executes in the browser of unsuspecting users. This creates a persistent threat vector that can affect multiple users simultaneously, particularly in environments where the application serves as a content delivery platform for user-generated images and related metadata. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal technical expertise, making it a particularly dangerous threat in web applications with broad user bases.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-0975 should focus on implementing robust input validation and output encoding mechanisms across all user-facing parameters. The recommended approach includes implementing strict parameter validation that filters out potentially malicious characters and content, while also applying proper HTML encoding to all output generated from user input. Security practitioners should consider implementing Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution capabilities, along with regular security audits of web application code to identify similar input handling vulnerabilities. Additionally, the application should be upgraded to a patched version of the Image Hosting Script DPI, as the vulnerability affects multiple versions and represents a known weakness that has likely been addressed in subsequent releases. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following secure coding practices as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter, highlighting the need for comprehensive input sanitization across all web application components.