CVE-2012-2274 in PivotX
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in pivotx/ajaxhelper.php in PivotX 2.3.2 and earlier allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the file parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/23/2025
The CVE-2012-2274 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the PivotX content management system version 2.3.2 and earlier. This vulnerability resides in the ajaxhelper.php component which processes file parameter inputs without proper sanitization or validation. The flaw enables remote attackers to inject malicious web scripts or HTML code directly into the application's response, potentially compromising user sessions and data integrity. The vulnerability specifically affects the file parameter handling mechanism that fails to properly escape or validate user-supplied input before incorporating it into dynamic web content.
This XSS vulnerability operates through a classic injection pattern where malicious input is accepted through the file parameter and subsequently rendered in the web application's output without appropriate security measures. The flaw allows attackers to execute arbitrary scripts in the context of a victim's browser session, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that it affects a core AJAX helper component that likely handles various file operations within the PivotX system, making it a prime target for exploitation. According to CWE classification, this represents a CWE-79: Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') vulnerability that specifically manifests through insecure direct object reference handling.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-2274 extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to perform sophisticated attacks against authenticated users. An attacker could craft malicious URLs containing script payloads that would execute when victims navigate to affected pages or interact with the application's AJAX functionality. This vulnerability could compromise user accounts, steal sensitive information, or manipulate the application's behavior through session manipulation techniques. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it does not require authentication to exploit, making it accessible to any remote attacker who can interact with the vulnerable PivotX installation. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001: Phishing for Information through the use of web-based attack vectors that leverage XSS to harvest user credentials or session tokens.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of the PivotX installation to version 2.3.3 or later where the XSS flaw has been addressed. Administrators should implement proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in other components of the application. The fix typically involves sanitizing the file parameter input before processing or rendering it in the web response, implementing proper Content Security Policy headers, and ensuring that all user-supplied data is properly escaped before inclusion in dynamic HTML content. Additionally, network-level protections such as web application firewalls can provide additional defense in depth, though they should not replace proper code-level fixes. Organizations should conduct comprehensive security assessments of their PivotX installations to identify any other potential injection points or similar vulnerabilities that might exist in the application's codebase.