CVE-2012-3836 in Baby Gekko
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in Baby Gekko before 1.2.0 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) groupname parameter in a savecategory in the users module; (2) virtual_filename, (3) branch, (4) contact_person, (5) street, (6) city, (7) province, (8) postal, (9) country, (10) tollfree, (11) phone, (12) fax, or (13) mobile parameter in a saveitem action in the contacts module; (14) title parameter in a savecategory action in the menus module; (15) firstname or (16) lastname in a saveitem action in the users module; (17) meta_key or (18) meta_description in a saveitem action in the blog module; or (19) the PATH_INFO to admin/index.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/23/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2012-3836 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting the Baby Gekko content management system prior to version 1.2.0. This vulnerability manifests across multiple modules within the application, creating a broad attack surface that malicious actors can exploit to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content into the system. The flaw resides in the insufficient input validation and output sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly handle user-supplied data across various parameters within different modules. The vulnerability impacts the core functionality of the CMS by allowing unauthorized users to execute malicious scripts in the context of other users' browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or unauthorized administrative actions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability spans across multiple application modules including users, contacts, menus, and blog modules, each presenting distinct entry points for XSS attacks. In the users module, the groupname parameter within savecategory actions and the firstname/lastname parameters in saveitem actions represent primary attack vectors. The contacts module exposes fifteen different parameters including virtual_filename, branch, contact_person, and various address fields that can be manipulated to inject malicious scripts. The menus module presents a single vulnerable parameter in the title field of savecategory actions, while the blog module introduces additional risks through meta_key and meta_description parameters in saveitem actions. The final vector involves manipulation of PATH_INFO to the admin/index.php endpoint, demonstrating the comprehensive nature of the vulnerability across the entire application architecture.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, creating potential pathways for sophisticated attacks that align with ATT&CK framework techniques for code injection and credential access. An attacker exploiting these vulnerabilities could establish persistent access through session hijacking, escalate privileges by stealing administrator credentials, or redirect users to malicious sites that appear legitimate. The vulnerability's presence in the admin interface through PATH_INFO manipulation particularly threatens the system's integrity, as it could enable attackers to gain unauthorized administrative access. According to CWE classification, this represents a CWE-79: Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, which specifically addresses the failure to sanitize user input before incorporating it into web pages, making it a prime target for web application attacks that leverage the trust relationship between the application and its users.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-3836 require immediate implementation of comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms across all affected parameters. Organizations should implement strict sanitization of all user-supplied data before processing or storage, utilizing established libraries and frameworks that provide robust XSS protection. The recommended approach includes implementing Content Security Policy headers, employing proper HTML encoding for all dynamic content, and establishing comprehensive input validation routines that reject or sanitize potentially malicious input. Additionally, the system should enforce proper authentication and authorization controls to limit access to administrative functions, while implementing regular security audits and penetration testing to identify similar vulnerabilities. The vulnerability's scope necessitates a complete review of all application modules and parameter handling processes, with particular attention to the admin/index.php endpoint and all user-modifiable fields across the various modules. System administrators should also consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring solutions to detect and prevent exploitation attempts, while ensuring all users are updated to version 1.2.0 or later where these vulnerabilities have been properly addressed through enhanced input validation and output sanitization mechanisms.