CVE-2012-10003 in RivetTracker
Summary
by MITRE • 01/03/2023
A vulnerability, which was classified as problematic, has been found in ahmyi RivetTracker. This issue affects some unknown processing. The manipulation of the argument $_SERVER['PHP_SELF'] leads to cross site scripting. The attack may be initiated remotely. The name of the patch is f053c5cc2bc44269b0496b5f275e349928a92ef9. It is recommended to apply a patch to fix this issue. The associated identifier of this vulnerability is VDB-217271.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/27/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-10003 resides within the ahmyi RivetTracker application, representing a cross-site scripting flaw that poses significant security risks to affected systems. This issue specifically targets the processing of the $_SERVER['PHP_SELF'] parameter, which serves as a critical component in web application security architecture. The vulnerability classification as problematic indicates the severity of potential impact, particularly when considering that the manipulation occurs through a server-side variable that is commonly used in web applications for various processing functions.
The technical flaw manifests when an attacker crafts malicious input that exploits the handling of the $_SERVER['PHP_SELF'] argument within the RivetTracker application. This particular server variable contains the filename of the currently executing script, and when improperly sanitized or validated, it becomes a vector for XSS attacks. The vulnerability operates at the application layer, where the web server processes the PHP_SELF parameter without adequate input validation or output encoding, allowing malicious scripts to be injected into the application's response. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, and represents a classic example of how improper input handling can lead to arbitrary code execution within user browsers.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or session hijacking, as it enables attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of the victim's browser. Remote exploitation means that attackers can leverage this flaw from any location without requiring physical access to the target system, making it particularly dangerous for web applications. The attack surface is broad since the vulnerability affects unknown processing functions, suggesting that multiple application components may be susceptible to this manipulation. This characteristic increases the potential attack surface and makes the vulnerability more difficult to fully mitigate without comprehensive application analysis. The vulnerability's designation as remote exploitable aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which covers exploitation of remote services through web application vulnerabilities, and demonstrates how attackers can leverage web-based attack vectors to compromise user sessions and potentially gain deeper access to systems.
The recommended patch identified by the identifier f053c5cc2bc44269b0496b5f275e349928a92ef9 provides the necessary fix to address this vulnerability by properly sanitizing the $_SERVER['PHP_SELF'] parameter before processing. This patch likely implements input validation and output encoding mechanisms that prevent malicious scripts from being executed when the parameter is processed. Organizations should immediately apply this patch to their RivetTracker installations, as the vulnerability represents a significant risk to user data and system integrity. The patch addresses the root cause of the vulnerability by ensuring that server variables are properly validated and encoded, preventing the injection of malicious content that could be executed in user browsers. Additionally, system administrators should consider implementing additional security measures such as web application firewalls and input validation rules to provide defense-in-depth against similar vulnerabilities. The vulnerability's classification as VDB-217271 indicates that it has been documented in vulnerability databases, making it accessible for security researchers and defenders to understand the specific attack patterns and mitigation strategies required to protect against this particular XSS flaw.