CVE-2012-1597 in Ezjscore
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the textEncode function in classes/ezjscajaxcontent.php in eZ JS Core in eZ Publish before 1.5 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/06/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-1597 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the eZ JS Core component of eZ Publish versions prior to 1.5. This issue specifically resides in the textEncode function located within the classes/ezjscajaxcontent.php file, making it a prime target for malicious actors seeking to exploit web application security weaknesses. The vulnerability classification aligns with CWE-79, which defines cross-site scripting as a common web application vulnerability where untrusted data is executed as code within the browser of an unsuspecting user.
The technical implementation of this flaw stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding within the textEncode function, which is designed to process and sanitize user input before it is rendered in web pages. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability through unspecified vectors that allow them to inject malicious JavaScript code or HTML content directly into the application's output streams. The vulnerability exists because the function fails to properly escape or encode special characters that could be interpreted by web browsers as executable code rather than plain text, creating a pathway for persistent XSS attacks.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations utilizing eZ Publish platforms, as it enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary scripts in the context of affected users' browsers. Successful exploitation could lead to session hijacking, credential theft, data manipulation, or the redirection of users to malicious websites. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that eZ Publish is widely used for content management systems, making the potential impact of such an XSS vulnerability substantial across multiple web applications. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers do not require physical access or local network privileges to exploit the flaw, increasing the attack surface and making it more accessible to threat actors.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to eZ Publish version 1.5 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address this vulnerability. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application stack can provide defense-in-depth measures. Security practitioners should also consider deploying web application firewalls and content security policies to prevent exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software components and implementing robust input sanitization practices as outlined in the ATT&CK framework's web application security tactics, specifically targeting the execution of malicious code through web interfaces. Organizations should conduct thorough security assessments of their eZ Publish installations to identify potential exploitation vectors and ensure proper patch management procedures are in place to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited in the future.