CVE-2012-1036 in DotNetNuke
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the telerik HTML editor in DotNetNuke before 5.6.4 and 6.x before 6.1.0 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via a message.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/16/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-1036 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Telerik HTML editor component integrated into DotNetNuke content management systems. This weakness affects versions prior to 5.6.4 and 6.1.0, creating a significant attack surface for malicious actors seeking to exploit web application security gaps. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the editor's processing pipeline, allowing attackers to inject malicious scripts that execute in the context of other users' browsers.
The technical implementation of this XSS vulnerability occurs when user-supplied content containing malicious script tags or HTML elements is processed through the Telerik editor without proper sanitization. The flaw specifically manifests in how the editor handles message inputs, failing to adequately filter or encode special characters that could be interpreted as executable code by web browsers. This weakness enables attackers to craft payloads that bypass standard security controls, potentially executing scripts in the victim's browser session with the privileges of the authenticated user.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents substantial risk to DotNetNuke installations, as it allows remote attackers to perform various malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, and data exfiltration. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to inject persistent scripts that remain active within the application, potentially compromising multiple users over time. The impact extends beyond simple script execution to include potential privilege escalation and unauthorized access to sensitive administrative functions, particularly when targeting high-privilege accounts within the CMS environment.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which categorizes cross-site scripting as a weakness in input validation and output encoding, and maps to several ATT&CK techniques including T1566 for initial access through malicious web content and T1071 for application layer protocols. Organizations running affected DotNetNuke versions face heightened risk of successful exploitation, particularly in environments where users have varying privilege levels or where the CMS serves as a central platform for content management and user interaction. The attack vector requires minimal sophistication, making it particularly dangerous for widespread exploitation.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate patching of affected DotNetNuke installations to versions 5.6.4 or 6.1.0, which contain the necessary security fixes. Organizations should also implement additional defensive measures including input validation at multiple layers, output encoding of user-supplied content, and regular security assessments of web applications. Network-based solutions such as web application firewalls can provide additional protection, though they should not be considered a substitute for proper code-level fixes. Regular security monitoring and user education regarding suspicious content can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts, while implementing content security policies can further limit the impact of successful XSS attacks.