CVE-2012-4870 in FreePBX
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in FreePBX 2.9 and earlier allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) context parameter to panel/index_amp.php or (2) panel/dhtml/index.php; (3) clid or (4) clidname parameters to panel/flash/mypage.php; (5) PATH_INFO to admin/views/freepbx_reload.php; or (6) login parameter to recordings/index.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/14/2025
The CVE-2012-4870 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting weakness affecting FreePBX versions 2.9 and earlier, exposing organizations to significant web application security risks. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the FreePBX administrative interface, which processes user-supplied data without proper escaping or filtering. The flaw exists across multiple endpoints within the application's panel structure, making it particularly dangerous as attackers can exploit various injection points to execute malicious scripts within the context of authenticated users' browsers.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content through specifically targeted parameters within the FreePBX interface. The attack vectors include the context parameter in panel/index_amp.php, the dhtml/index.php endpoint, clid and clidname parameters in panel/flash/mypage.php, PATH_INFO in admin/views/freepbx_reload.php, and the login parameter in recordings/index.php. These parameters are processed by the application without adequate sanitization, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate the application's behavior and execute malicious code in the victim's browser context. The vulnerability is classified as a client-side attack vector that leverages the trust relationship between the user and the web application.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to perform session hijacking, steal sensitive authentication tokens, and potentially gain unauthorized access to the PBX system. When exploited, these XSS vulnerabilities can allow attackers to execute arbitrary commands within the context of the victim's browser session, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that FreePBX is commonly used in enterprise environments for telecommunications management, making successful exploitation potentially devastating for organizational security. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple application endpoints increases the likelihood of successful exploitation and reduces the effectiveness of partial mitigation efforts.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms across all affected endpoints. The recommended mitigation strategies include implementing proper parameter sanitization, employing Content Security Policy headers, and upgrading to FreePBX versions that address these specific XSS vulnerabilities. Security professionals should also conduct thorough penetration testing to identify additional potential attack vectors within the application's interface and ensure that all user-supplied input is properly escaped before being rendered in web pages. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, and represents a common attack pattern documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the web application attack categories.