CVE-2012-0984 in XOOPS
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in XOOPS before 2.5.5 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) to_userid parameter to modules/pm/pmlite.php or the (2) current_file, (3) imgcat_id, or (4) target parameter to class/xoopseditor/tinymce/tinymce/jscripts/tiny_mce/plugins/xoopsimagemanager/xoopsimagebrowser.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/30/2024
The CVE-2012-0984 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting the XOOPS content management system prior to version 2.5.5. This vulnerability resides in the core functionality of the platform's private messaging module and its integrated image management system within the TinyMCE WYSIWYG editor. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data before rendering it within web pages. Attackers can exploit these vulnerabilities to inject malicious scripts that execute in the context of other users' browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or unauthorized actions within the application.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability spans multiple attack vectors within the XOOPS framework. The first vector targets the to_userid parameter in modules/pm/pmlite.php, where user identifiers are directly incorporated into dynamic page content without proper sanitization. The second and third vectors involve the current_file, imgcat_id, and target parameters within the xoopsimagemanager plugin, which processes image-related data from user input. These parameters are processed by the TinyMCE editor's image browser component, creating a pathway for attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code through crafted file names or directory paths. The vulnerability classification aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws in web applications.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-0984 extends beyond simple script injection, creating potential for significant security breaches within XOOPS installations. When exploited, these vulnerabilities enable attackers to execute arbitrary code in users' browsers, potentially allowing for complete compromise of user sessions through session cookie theft. The attack surface is particularly concerning because the affected components are commonly used within web applications, making them prime targets for exploitation. The vulnerability affects both administrators and regular users, as any authenticated user could potentially exploit these flaws to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data or perform malicious actions within the application context. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1531, which involves using malicious code to gain access to user sessions and credentials.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-0984 require immediate attention and comprehensive implementation across affected systems. The primary remediation involves upgrading to XOOPS version 2.5.5 or later, which includes proper input validation and output encoding fixes for the affected parameters. Organizations should also implement proper parameter sanitization at multiple layers, ensuring that all user-supplied input undergoes rigorous validation before being processed or displayed. Input filtering mechanisms should be strengthened to reject potentially malicious characters and patterns, while output encoding should be implemented to prevent script execution in contexts where user data is rendered. Network-based mitigations such as web application firewalls can provide additional protection, though they should not replace proper application-level fixes. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the system architecture, as this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure coding practices throughout the entire application stack.