CVE-2012-4602 in TCExam
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in admin/code/tce_select_users_popup.php in Nicola Asuni TCExam before 11.3.009 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) cid or (2) uids parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/20/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-4602 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in the Nicola Asuni TCExam web application prior to version 11.3.009. This vulnerability exists within the admin/code/tce_select_users_popup.php file, which serves as a user selection interface for administrators managing exam environments. The flaw enables remote attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of authenticated users' browsers, potentially compromising the entire administrative session and user data integrity.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output sanitization within the parameter handling mechanism. Attackers can exploit this weakness by injecting malicious scripts through either the cid parameter or the uids parameter, both of which are processed without proper sanitization before being rendered in the web interface. This allows for arbitrary HTML and JavaScript code execution within the victim's browser context, making it particularly dangerous for administrative interfaces where elevated privileges exist. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws in web applications, and represents a classic example of unsafe output encoding practices.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can lead to complete administrative compromise when attackers leverage the privileged access of authenticated users. An attacker could potentially steal session cookies, modify user permissions, access sensitive exam data, or even escalate privileges within the TCExam environment. The vulnerability affects the administrative functionality that manages user selection for exam assignments, making it particularly attractive to attackers seeking to manipulate exam processes or gain unauthorized access to examination systems. This represents a significant threat to educational institutions relying on TCExam for assessment management, as it could enable unauthorized modification of exam results or user access controls.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-4602 require immediate implementation of proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms. Organizations should upgrade to TCExam version 11.3.009 or later, which includes patched validation routines for the affected parameters. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy headers can provide an additional layer of protection against XSS attacks by restricting script execution. Regular security audits of web applications should include thorough parameter validation testing, particularly for administrative interfaces. The vulnerability also demonstrates the importance of following secure coding practices as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and MITRE ATT&CK framework, specifically addressing the execution of malicious code through web interfaces. System administrators should also implement monitoring for suspicious parameter usage patterns and conduct regular security training for personnel managing web applications to prevent exploitation of similar vulnerabilities in other components of the educational technology stack.