CVE-2012-4037 in Transmission
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in the web client in Transmission before 2.61 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) comment, (2) created by, or (3) name field in a torrent file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/07/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-4037 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting the web client component of Transmission software versions prior to 2.61. This vulnerability resides within the torrent file handling mechanism where user-provided data is not adequately sanitized before being rendered in web interfaces. The flaw specifically impacts three distinct fields within torrent files including the comment field, created by field, and name field, creating multiple attack vectors for malicious actors seeking to exploit web application security weaknesses. The vulnerability classification aligns with CWE-79 which defines cross-site scripting as a weakness where untrusted data is incorporated into web pages without proper validation or encoding, making it susceptible to execution of malicious scripts in victim browsers. From an operational perspective, this vulnerability enables remote attackers to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML code directly into torrent files that are processed by the Transmission web client. When victims view these maliciously crafted torrent files through the vulnerable web interface, the injected scripts execute in their browser context, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious websites. The attack requires minimal privileges as it operates entirely through the web client interface without requiring authentication or direct system access, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users frequently interact with torrent files from untrusted sources.
The exploitation of this vulnerability demonstrates characteristics consistent with the attacker tactics described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1059.001 technique for Command and Scripting Interpreter, specifically targeting web-based applications through injection methods. The flaw essentially allows attackers to establish persistent malicious presence within the Transmission web interface environment, potentially enabling more sophisticated attacks such as data exfiltration or establishment of command and control channels. The impact extends beyond simple script execution as the injected code can leverage the victim's authenticated session within the Transmission client, potentially allowing attackers to manipulate torrent downloads, access sensitive configuration data, or gain unauthorized control over the client's functionality. This vulnerability particularly affects users who regularly download torrents from untrusted sources, as the malicious code injection can occur simply by viewing the torrent file metadata within the Transmission web interface. The security implications are compounded by the fact that the vulnerability affects the core web client functionality, meaning that any user accessing the Transmission web interface with a vulnerable version is at risk.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-4037 center around immediate software updates to Transmission version 2.61 or later, which includes proper input sanitization and output encoding for the affected fields. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management protocols to ensure all Transmission installations are updated promptly, as this vulnerability has remained unpatched in older versions for extended periods. Network administrators should consider implementing web application firewalls or content filtering solutions to detect and block malicious script injection attempts, particularly in environments where torrent file handling is common. Additionally, users should be educated about the risks of downloading torrent files from untrusted sources and the importance of verifying file integrity before opening them in web-based clients. The vulnerability serves as a prime example of why input validation and output encoding should be implemented at multiple layers within web applications, following secure coding practices outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and similar security frameworks. Regular security assessments of web applications should include testing for XSS vulnerabilities in all user-input fields, particularly those that are rendered directly in browser contexts without proper sanitization. System administrators should also consider implementing browser security policies that restrict script execution and limit the potential impact of successful XSS attacks through additional security controls such as content security policies and strict transport security measures.