CVE-2012-4360 in HTTP Server
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the mod_pagespeed module 0.10.19.1 through 0.10.22.4 for the Apache HTTP Server allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/13/2021
The CVE-2012-4360 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the mod_pagespeed module for Apache HTTP Server versions 0.10.19.1 through 0.10.22.4. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is one of the most prevalent and dangerous web application security weaknesses. The mod_pagespeed module is designed to optimize web pages by automatically rewriting and optimizing HTML, CSS, and JavaScript content to improve website performance and reduce bandwidth usage. However, this optimization functionality introduces a dangerous attack vector where malicious actors can exploit the module's processing of user-supplied input to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content.
The technical flaw in mod_pagespeed stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the module's content processing pipeline. When the module encounters web content that requires optimization, it processes various HTML attributes and parameters without sufficient sanitization of user-provided data. Attackers can leverage this weakness by crafting malicious input that gets processed by mod_pagespeed and subsequently delivered to unsuspecting users' browsers. The unspecified vectors mentioned in the vulnerability description suggest that the flaw exists across multiple input points within the module's functionality, making it particularly challenging to fully mitigate through targeted fixes. This broad attack surface increases the probability of successful exploitation and reduces the effectiveness of simple patching approaches.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-4360 is severe and multifaceted, affecting organizations that deploy the vulnerable mod_pagespeed module in their Apache web servers. When exploited, the XSS vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary scripts in the context of a victim's browser session, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, and data exfiltration. The vulnerability can be particularly damaging in environments where the module processes user-generated content or where administrators rely on mod_pagespeed for automatic optimization of dynamic web applications. Attackers can leverage this weakness to inject malicious code that persists across user sessions, creating long-term security risks for websites that depend on the module's functionality. The attack can be executed remotely without requiring any special privileges or authentication, making it an attractive target for automated exploitation tools and mass-scale attacks.
Organizations affected by CVE-2012-4360 should immediately implement comprehensive mitigations to protect their web infrastructure. The primary recommendation involves upgrading to a patched version of mod_pagespeed that addresses the XSS vulnerability, typically found in versions beyond 0.10.22.4. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms within web applications can help prevent exploitation of similar vulnerabilities. Security measures should include content security policy (CSP) headers to limit script execution and prevent the execution of unauthorized code. Organizations should also consider disabling mod_pagespeed for sensitive applications or sections of their websites where user input is processed, as recommended in the ATT&CK framework's approach to mitigating web application vulnerabilities. Regular security assessments and monitoring of web server configurations are essential to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by malicious actors.