CVE-2012-5193 in Bitweaver
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in Bitweaver 2.8.1 and earlier allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the path info to (1) stats/index.php or (2) newsletters/edition.php or the (3) username parameter to users/remind_password.php, (4) days parameter to stats/index.php, (5) login parameter to users/register.php, or (6) highlight parameter.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/29/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-5193 represents a critical cross-site scripting weakness affecting Bitweaver versions 2.8.1 and earlier, demonstrating a fundamental failure in input validation and output sanitization within web applications. This vulnerability classifies under CWE-79 as improper neutralization of input during web output, specifically manifesting in multiple attack vectors that exploit the application's failure to properly sanitize user-supplied data before rendering it in web responses. The affected components span across several core modules including statistics, newsletter functionality, user registration, and password recovery systems, indicating a systemic weakness in the application's security architecture that permits malicious actors to inject arbitrary script code.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through manipulation of specific HTTP parameters within the application's request handling mechanisms. Attackers can leverage the path info parameter in stats/index.php and newsletters/edition.php to inject malicious scripts that execute within the context of other users' browsers, while the username parameter in users/remind_password.php provides another attack surface for script injection. Additionally, the days parameter in stats/index.php, login parameter in users/register.php, and highlight parameter all present opportunities for attackers to execute malicious code through crafted input values. These attack vectors demonstrate a pattern of insufficient input validation where user-supplied data flows directly into HTML output without proper sanitization or encoding, creating persistent XSS vulnerabilities that can be exploited across multiple application modules.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it enables attackers to perform various malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, data exfiltration, and manipulation of application functionality. When successful, these XSS attacks can allow unauthorized users to impersonate legitimate users, access sensitive information, modify application data, or redirect users to malicious websites. The vulnerability affects the entire user base since any authenticated or unauthenticated user could potentially be targeted through these persistent XSS vectors, making it particularly dangerous for web applications that handle sensitive user information or provide administrative functionality. The attack surface is further expanded by the fact that multiple modules are affected, increasing the probability of successful exploitation and reducing the effort required by attackers to find vulnerable entry points.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-5193 should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding across all affected application components. The primary defense mechanism involves proper sanitization of all user-supplied parameters before they are processed or rendered in web responses, utilizing techniques such as HTML entity encoding, input validation filters, and secure coding practices that align with OWASP Top Ten recommendations. Organizations should implement Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to limit script execution and prevent unauthorized code injection, while also ensuring that all application modules follow secure coding standards that prevent direct data injection into HTML contexts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of regular security assessments and patch management, as the affected Bitweaver versions should be immediately upgraded to patched releases that address these input validation deficiencies. Additionally, implementing proper parameter validation and sanitization techniques in all application components can prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in future development cycles, aligning with ATT&CK framework techniques that emphasize the importance of input validation and output encoding in preventing web-based attacks.