CVE-2012-1303 in amCharts Flash
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in amCharts Flash 1 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) data_file or (2) settings_file parameter to ampie.swf; the message element in the chart_data parameter to (3) amcolumn.swf, (4) amline.swf, (5) amradar.swf, or (6) amxy.sw; or (7) the settings_file parameter to amstock.swf.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/28/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2012-1303 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting multiple amCharts Flash components including ampie.swf, amcolumn.swf, amline.swf, amradar.swf, amxy.swf, and amstock.swf. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, specifically targeting web applications that utilize Flash-based charting libraries. The flaw exists in the handling of user-supplied parameters within the Flash applications, creating opportunities for remote attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of the victim's browser.
The technical exploitation occurs through several attack vectors that target different parameters within the various Flash charting components. Attackers can manipulate the data_file and settings_file parameters in ampie.swf to inject malicious content, while the chart_data parameter's message element in amcolumn.swf, amline.swf, amradar.swf, and amxy.swf presents additional injection points. The amstock.swf component is vulnerable through its settings_file parameter, creating multiple pathways for exploitation across the amCharts suite. These vulnerabilities demonstrate a design flaw where user input is not properly sanitized or escaped before being rendered in the browser context.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it allows attackers to execute arbitrary web scripts and HTML content in the victim's browser session. This capability can lead to session hijacking, credential theft, redirection to malicious sites, and the execution of unauthorized actions on behalf of users. The attack surface is broad since these Flash components are commonly used in web applications for data visualization, making the exploitation potential widespread across various industries including finance, healthcare, and government sectors. The vulnerability's persistence in the Flash environment makes it particularly dangerous as Flash content often runs with elevated privileges and can access sensitive data.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate parameter validation and sanitization across all affected Flash components. Organizations should implement strict input validation that filters or escapes all user-supplied data before processing, particularly for parameters that directly influence chart rendering. The most effective long-term solution involves migrating away from Flash-based charting libraries to modern HTML5 and JavaScript alternatives that provide better security controls and are actively maintained. Security patches should be applied immediately to any systems utilizing vulnerable amCharts versions, while network monitoring should be enhanced to detect suspicious parameter patterns. Additionally, implementing content security policies and disabling Flash content in browsers can significantly reduce the attack surface. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 for initial access through malicious web content, emphasizing the need for comprehensive web application security controls and regular vulnerability assessments to prevent exploitation.