CVE-2012-2741 in PHPList
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in public_html/lists/admin/ in phpList before 2.10.18 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the num parameter in a reconcileusers action.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/10/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-2741 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the phpList email marketing platform that affected versions prior to 2.10.18. This vulnerability resides in the administrative interface of the application at the path public_html/lists/admin/ and specifically targets the reconcileusers action functionality. The flaw enables remote attackers to execute malicious scripts or HTML code within the context of other users' browsers who interact with the compromised administrative interface. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates through the num parameter, which is processed during the reconcileusers action, allowing attackers to inject malicious payloads that can persist and execute against unsuspecting administrators or users who access the affected administrative pages.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which defines Cross-Site Scripting as a weakness that occurs when an application incorporates untrusted data into web pages without proper validation or escaping mechanisms. This specific implementation flaw allows attackers to manipulate the num parameter in a way that bypasses input sanitization controls within the phpList application's administrative interface. The vulnerability exists because the application fails to properly validate and escape user-supplied input before incorporating it into dynamic web content, creating an environment where malicious scripts can be executed in the context of authenticated users' sessions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it provides attackers with the capability to perform session hijacking, data theft, and privilege escalation within the administrative context. When administrators access the compromised reconcileusers action page, their browsers execute the injected malicious code, potentially allowing attackers to steal session cookies, modify administrative settings, or gain unauthorized access to sensitive email lists and user data. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of the email marketing platform's administrative functions, as the compromised system can be used to manipulate the underlying email distribution lists, user subscriptions, and other critical administrative data. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous for organizations that rely on phpList for managing large email subscriber bases and sensitive communication campaigns.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-2741 should focus on immediate application patching to version 2.10.18 or later, which contains the necessary input validation and sanitization fixes. Organizations should implement proper parameter validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application's administrative interface to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide additional protection against script execution, while regular security auditing of web applications should include thorough input validation testing. This vulnerability also highlights the importance of following secure coding practices as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and the ATT&CK framework's application security categories, where the exploitation of such vulnerabilities can lead to complete system compromise. Network segmentation and privileged access controls should be implemented to limit the potential damage from successful exploitation, and regular security updates should be enforced across all web applications to prevent similar vulnerabilities from persisting in production environments.