CVE-2012-3840 in MyClientBase
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in index.php/users/form/user_id in MyClientBase 0.12 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) first_name or (2) last_name parameters.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/27/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-3840 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the MyClientBase 0.12 web application, specifically affecting the user management functionality. This vulnerability resides in the index.php/users/form/user_id endpoint where user input is processed without adequate sanitization or validation. The flaw manifests when attackers manipulate the first_name or last_name parameters through the web interface, enabling them to inject malicious scripts that execute in the context of other users' browsers. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is classified as a fundamental web application security weakness that allows attackers to inject client-side scripts into web pages viewed by other users.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when the application fails to properly encode or escape user-supplied input before rendering it back to the browser. When an attacker submits malicious content through the first_name or last_name fields, the application stores this data without sufficient sanitization measures. The stored data is then displayed in subsequent page renders without proper HTML escaping, allowing the injected scripts to execute in the victim's browser context. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it enables attackers to perform actions such as stealing session cookies, redirecting users to malicious sites, or modifying the web page content to deceive users. The attack vector is classified as a reflected XSS vulnerability since the malicious script is reflected back to the user through the application's response, making it a classic example of how improper input validation can compromise web application security.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it provides attackers with a foothold for more sophisticated attacks within the application environment. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to steal authentication tokens, manipulate user sessions, or redirect victims to phishing sites that appear legitimate. The vulnerability affects the entire user management component of the MyClientBase application, potentially compromising all user accounts that interact with the vulnerable form fields. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques such as T1059.007 (Scripting) and T1566.001 (Phishing) as it enables attackers to execute malicious scripts and potentially harvest credentials through social engineering. The vulnerability also represents a significant risk to the confidentiality and integrity of user data within the application, as it allows unauthorized access to sensitive information that users trust the application to protect.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both the immediate security flaw and implement comprehensive input validation measures. The primary fix involves implementing proper input sanitization and output encoding mechanisms that escape special characters in user-supplied data before rendering it in the browser. The application should employ strict input validation that rejects or sanitizes potentially malicious content in the first_name and last_name parameters. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy headers can provide an additional layer of protection against script execution. Organizations should also consider implementing a web application firewall to detect and block suspicious input patterns, while regular security testing and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other parts of the application. The remediation process should follow secure coding practices that align with OWASP Top Ten guidelines, ensuring that all user input is properly validated and sanitized before being processed or displayed within the application interface.