CVE-2012-1212 in SMW+
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the smwfOnSfSetTargetName function in extensions/SMWHalo/includes/SMW_Initialize.php in Semantic Enterprise Wiki (SMW+) 1.5.6, 1.6.0_2 and earlier allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the target parameter to index.php/Special:FormEdit. NOTE: some of these details are obtained from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/16/2018
The cross-site scripting vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-1212 resides within the Semantic Enterprise Wiki (SMW+) platform, specifically in the smwfOnSfSetTargetName function located in extensions/SMWHalo/includes/SMW_Initialize.php. This vulnerability affects versions 1.5.6, 1.6.0_2 and earlier, representing a critical security flaw that enables remote attackers to execute malicious web scripts or HTML code within the context of affected systems. The vulnerability manifests through the target parameter of the index.php/Special:FormEdit endpoint, creating a pathway for attackers to inject harmful content that can be executed by unsuspecting users.
The technical flaw represents a classic XSS vulnerability categorized under CWE-79, which occurs when an application incorporates untrusted data into web pages without proper validation or sanitization. The smwfOnSfSetTargetName function fails to adequately sanitize user input from the target parameter, allowing malicious payloads to be stored and subsequently executed when the affected page is rendered. This particular implementation vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms within the Semantic MediaWiki extension framework, where user-supplied parameters are directly incorporated into the output without appropriate encoding or filtering measures.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it provides attackers with the capability to perform various malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, and redirection to malicious websites. When a user accesses the vulnerable FormEdit special page with a crafted target parameter, the injected scripts execute within the user's browser context, potentially compromising the entire session and allowing attackers to impersonate legitimate users. This vulnerability particularly affects enterprise environments where Semantic MediaWiki is deployed for knowledge management and collaboration, as it can be exploited to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information and manipulate wiki content.
Organizations utilizing affected versions of Semantic Enterprise Wiki should prioritize immediate remediation through patch updates to version 1.6.1 or later, which contain the necessary fixes for this XSS vulnerability. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and output encoding measures can serve as temporary mitigations while awaiting official patches. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for script injection and T1566 for credential access, emphasizing the need for comprehensive security measures. Security administrators should also consider implementing web application firewalls and content security policies to detect and prevent exploitation attempts, while monitoring for any suspicious activities related to the FormEdit functionality. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input sanitization in web applications and highlights the potential risks associated with third-party extensions in content management systems.