CVE-2012-5321 in TikiWiki
Summary
by MITRE
tiki-featured_link.php in TikiWiki CMS/Groupware 8.3 allows remote attackers to load arbitrary web site pages into frames and conduct phishing attacks via the url parameter, aka "frame injection."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/04/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-5321 affects TikiWiki CMS/Groupware version 8.3 and represents a critical security flaw in the tiki-featured_link.php component that enables remote attackers to manipulate frame content through improper input validation. This vulnerability resides within the web application's handling of user-supplied URL parameters, specifically the url parameter which is processed without adequate sanitization or validation mechanisms. The flaw allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary web pages into frames within the TikiWiki interface, creating a dangerous vector for social engineering and phishing attacks that can deceive users into believing they are interacting with legitimate application components.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from a lack of proper input validation and sanitization within the featured_link.php script. When users provide URL parameters to the application, the system fails to properly validate or sanitize the input before incorporating it into frame content. This creates an environment where attackers can supply malicious URLs that, when rendered within the application's frame structure, can display content from external domains while maintaining the appearance of being part of the legitimate TikiWiki interface. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-937, which addresses the improper neutralization of special elements used in a frame context, and falls under the broader category of insecure direct object references that enable frame injection attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant and multifaceted, as it provides attackers with a sophisticated method for conducting phishing campaigns against TikiWiki users. By injecting malicious content into frames, attackers can create convincing fake login pages, fraudulent notifications, or deceptive administrative interfaces that appear to be legitimate parts of the TikiWiki application. This enables unauthorized access to user credentials, data exfiltration, and potential lateral movement within networks where TikiWiki is deployed. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it leverages the trust users have in the legitimate application interface, making it difficult for users to distinguish between authentic and malicious content within the same application environment.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-5321 should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and sanitization measures within the affected TikiWiki components. Organizations should immediately apply the vendor-provided security patches or updates that address this vulnerability through proper URL parameter validation and sanitization. Network administrators should consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious frame injection attempts, while also monitoring for unusual frame content patterns within the application. Additionally, security teams should conduct thorough code reviews to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components that may be susceptible to similar frame injection attacks. The remediation process should include implementing strict URL validation that only accepts trusted domains or properly encoded URLs, and establishing proper content security policies that prevent unauthorized frame loading. Organizations should also consider implementing user education programs to help users recognize potential phishing attempts that may exploit this vulnerability. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation in web applications and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001, which addresses phishing through malicious links and frame injection attacks that exploit web application vulnerabilities to deceive users into providing sensitive information.