CVE-2012-3522 in GeSHi
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in contrib/langwiz.php in GeSHi before 1.0.8.11 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/10/2019
The CVE-2012-3522 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw discovered in the GeSHi code highlighting library version 1.0.8.10 and earlier. This vulnerability specifically affects the contrib/langwiz.php component within the GeSHi framework, which is commonly used for syntax highlighting in web applications and content management systems. The issue stems from insufficient input validation and output sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly escape or filter user-supplied data before rendering it within web pages. This allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary HTML or JavaScript code through unspecified vectors, potentially compromising user sessions and data integrity.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which categorizes cross-site scripting as a weakness where untrusted data is incorporated into web pages without proper validation or escaping. The flaw occurs because the langwiz.php script does not adequately sanitize parameters passed through HTTP requests, enabling attackers to craft malicious payloads that execute in the context of other users' browsers. This type of vulnerability typically arises from improper handling of user input within dynamic web content generation processes, where data flows from external sources directly into HTML output without appropriate security measures.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-3522 extends beyond simple script injection, as it provides attackers with potential access to sensitive user information, session hijacking capabilities, and the ability to perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. In environments where GeSHi is integrated into web applications, content management systems, or collaborative platforms, this vulnerability could enable attackers to steal cookies, modify content, redirect users to malicious sites, or execute persistent attacks against the application's user base. The unspecified vectors suggest that multiple input parameters or request methods could be exploited, increasing the attack surface and making detection more challenging for security teams.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability involve immediate patching of the GeSHi library to version 1.0.8.11 or later, where the XSS flaws have been addressed through proper input validation and output sanitization. Organizations should implement comprehensive input filtering mechanisms that escape or sanitize all user-supplied data before processing, particularly when this data is intended for HTML rendering. Security practices should include regular vulnerability assessments of third-party libraries, implementation of Content Security Policies to limit script execution, and deployment of web application firewalls to detect and block malicious requests. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under the T1059 technique for command and scripting interpreter, as attackers can leverage the XSS to execute malicious scripts against other users, while also mapping to T1566 for social engineering attacks through compromised web applications.