CVE-2012-3830 in decoda
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in decoda/templates/video.php in Decoda before 3.3.3 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the video directive.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/03/2025
The CVE-2012-3830 vulnerability represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the Decoda library, a popular PHP-based text parser and formatter used extensively in web applications for processing user-generated content. This vulnerability specifically affects the video directive processing functionality within the decoda/templates/video.php component, which is designed to handle embedded video content within formatted text. The issue arises from inadequate input sanitization and output encoding mechanisms that fail to properly validate or escape user-supplied data before rendering it within web pages.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when remote attackers craft malicious input containing script tags or other HTML elements within the video directive parameters. The flaw stems from the library's insufficient validation of the video URL parameter, allowing attackers to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content that gets executed in the context of other users' browsers. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting vulnerabilities, and demonstrates a fundamental weakness in the application's data validation and sanitization processes. The vulnerability exists because the system fails to properly escape or filter user input before incorporating it into dynamically generated HTML content, creating a persistent security gap that can be exploited across multiple applications using the vulnerable Decoda library.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, data exfiltration, and redirection to malicious sites. When exploited successfully, the XSS vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript code within the victim's browser context, potentially compromising user sessions and accessing sensitive information. The vulnerability affects all applications using Decoda versions prior to 3.3.3, making it particularly dangerous as it could impact numerous websites and web applications that rely on this text processing library. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires minimal privileges and can be executed through simple parameter manipulation, making it a high-value target for automated exploitation tools and malicious actors targeting web applications.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability involve immediate patching of the Decoda library to version 3.3.3 or later, which includes proper input sanitization and output encoding mechanisms. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation that filters and escapes all user-supplied data before processing, particularly for parameters used in template rendering. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide additional defense-in-depth measures by restricting script execution and limiting the impact of successful XSS attacks. Security practitioners should also consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious input patterns associated with XSS attempts. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566, which covers the use of malicious content to gain initial access, and demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and output encoding as fundamental security controls. Regular security assessments and dependency updates are essential to prevent similar vulnerabilities from persisting in web applications that utilize third-party libraries and frameworks.