CVE-2012-4679 in Newscoop
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in admin/login.php in Newscoop before 3.5.5 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the f_user_name parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/02/2025
The CVE-2012-4679 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw discovered in the Newscoop content management system prior to version 3.5.5. This vulnerability specifically affects the administrative login page at admin/login.php and exposes the application to remote code execution through malicious script injection. The flaw resides in the improper handling of user input within the f_user_name parameter, which is processed without adequate sanitization or validation mechanisms. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious payloads that are then executed in the context of other users' browsers who visit the compromised login page.
This 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 malicious client-side scripts into web applications. The specific attack vector involves the f_user_name parameter, which serves as an entry point for malicious input that bypasses the application's security controls. The vulnerability's classification as a persistent XSS issue means that the injected scripts can be stored on the server and executed whenever the affected page is accessed, potentially affecting multiple users over time. The attack requires minimal privileges since it targets the administrative login interface, making it particularly dangerous for organizations that rely on Newscoop for content management operations.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-4679 extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform session hijacking, steal user credentials, redirect users to malicious websites, or even gain administrative access to the compromised system. When an attacker successfully injects malicious code through the f_user_name parameter, they can manipulate the administrative interface to perform unauthorized actions, modify content, or extract sensitive information from the application's database. The vulnerability's presence in the login page specifically targets the most critical component of any content management system, as successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive organizational data. Organizations using vulnerable versions of Newscoop face significant risk of data breaches, content tampering, and potential regulatory compliance violations.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of the Newscoop application to version 3.5.5 or later, which contains the necessary input validation and sanitization fixes. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation mechanisms that filter and sanitize all user-supplied data before processing, particularly focusing on the administrative login interface. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide additional protection against script execution, while proper output encoding ensures that any malicious content is rendered harmless when displayed in web browsers. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual login patterns or injection attempts, and regular security assessments should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the web application stack. The remediation process should also include user education regarding the importance of keeping software updated and the potential consequences of visiting compromised websites. Organizations may also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious requests targeting known XSS attack patterns.