CVE-2012-3843 in e107
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the registration page in e107, probably 1.0.1, allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/11/2019
The CVE-2012-3843 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw discovered in the e107 content management system, specifically affecting version 1.0.1 and potentially other iterations within the 1.0.x series. This vulnerability resides within the registration page functionality, making it particularly dangerous as it targets user input mechanisms that are inherently trusted by both users and the application itself. The flaw enables remote attackers to execute malicious scripts within the context of other users' browsers, creating a significant vector for various attack scenarios including session hijacking, credential theft, and data exfiltration. The vulnerability's presence in the registration page is especially concerning as this component typically receives unvalidated user input from anyone attempting to create accounts on the platform, making it a prime target for exploitation.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications. The unspecified vectors mentioned in the description suggest that the vulnerability could be triggered through multiple input fields or parameters within the registration form, potentially including username, email address, or other user-provided information. This broad attack surface increases the exploitability of the flaw, as attackers need only find one vulnerable input field to successfully inject malicious code. The vulnerability operates by failing to properly sanitize or escape user input before rendering it back to the browser, allowing attackers to inject HTML tags and JavaScript code that executes in the context of legitimate users' sessions. This failure in input validation and output encoding creates a persistent security weakness that can be exploited across different browser environments and user contexts.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-3843 extends beyond simple data theft, as it fundamentally undermines the trust model of the web application. When successful, this vulnerability allows attackers to manipulate the user experience by injecting malicious code that can redirect users to phishing sites, steal session cookies, or even modify content displayed on the website. The attack can be particularly damaging in environments where the e107 platform hosts sensitive information or serves as a community portal where user interactions are frequent. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to create persistent backdoors within the application, potentially leading to full system compromise if the application has additional vulnerabilities or if users with elevated privileges are targeted. The long-term implications include potential reputation damage for the organization running the vulnerable system, as users may lose confidence in the security of their personal information.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should follow established security practices and align with ATT&CK framework techniques related to input validation and output encoding. The primary remediation involves implementing comprehensive input sanitization and output encoding mechanisms throughout the registration process, ensuring that all user-provided data is properly escaped before being rendered back to the browser. Organizations should immediately upgrade to patched versions of e107, as version 1.0.1 is considered obsolete and no longer supported. Additionally, implementing proper content security policies and using web application firewalls can provide additional layers of protection against exploitation attempts. Regular security auditing of web applications, including thorough input validation testing, should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the system. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to OWASP top ten security guidelines to prevent similar issues in future development cycles.