CVE-2012-1240 in Dokodemo Rikunabi 2013
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the RECRUIT Dokodemo Rikunabi 2013 extension before 1.0.1 for Google Chrome allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/01/2021
The CVE-2012-1240 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw discovered in the RECRUIT Dokodemo Rikunabi 2013 browser extension for Google Chrome. This extension, designed to facilitate job searching and recruitment processes, contained a security weakness that exposed users to potential malicious code injection attacks. The vulnerability existed in versions prior to 1.0.1, indicating that the developers had not yet implemented proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms to prevent malicious script execution. The unspecified vectors suggest that the attack could occur through multiple entry points within the extension's functionality, making the vulnerability particularly concerning as it could be exploited through various user interactions or data processing scenarios.
This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is classified as a fundamental web application security flaw that allows attackers to inject client-side scripts into web pages viewed by other users. The specific nature of this vulnerability enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of the victim's browser session. The attack vector operates by manipulating the extension's handling of user-provided data or configuration parameters, potentially through form inputs, URL parameters, or data retrieved from external sources. When users interact with the compromised extension, the malicious code executes in their browser, potentially leading to session hijacking, data theft, or further exploitation of the user's browsing environment.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it fundamentally compromises the security model of the browser extension and the users who rely on it for legitimate job searching activities. Attackers could leverage this weakness to steal sensitive user information, manipulate the extension's functionality, or redirect users to malicious websites. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation does not require physical access to the target system, making it particularly dangerous for widespread deployment. Users who had the vulnerable extension installed would be at risk whenever they interacted with the extension's features, creating a persistent threat vector that could be exploited across multiple browsing sessions and potentially across different websites where the extension was active.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily focus on updating to the patched version 1.0.1 or later, which would have implemented proper input sanitization and output encoding mechanisms. Security practitioners should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all instances of the vulnerable extension within their organization's browser environments. The remediation process should include immediate deployment of the security patch followed by monitoring for any suspicious activities that might indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing browser security policies that restrict extension permissions and monitor for unauthorized browser modifications. From a defensive perspective, this vulnerability highlights the importance of proper secure coding practices in browser extensions, particularly around input validation and output encoding, as recommended by the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity guidelines. The incident underscores the necessity of thorough security testing for browser extensions before deployment, as these components operate with elevated privileges and can significantly impact user security and privacy.