CVE-2012-5358 in Ektron CMS
Summary
by MITRE
The XSLTCompiledTransform function in Ektron Content Management System (CMS) before 8.02 SP5 configures the XSL with enableDocumentFunction set to true, which allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files and consequently bypass authentication, modify viewstate, cause a denial of service, or possibly have unspecified other impact via crafted XSL data.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/01/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-5358 represents a critical security flaw within the Ektron Content Management System that stems from improper configuration of XSLT processing capabilities. This issue affects versions prior to 8.02 SP5 and demonstrates a classic example of insecure parameter handling that can lead to severe operational consequences. The flaw specifically resides in how the XSLTCompiledTransform function processes transformation requests, creating an environment where malicious actors can exploit the system's document function capabilities to gain unauthorized access to sensitive system resources.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the configuration parameter enableDocumentFunction being set to true within the XSLT transformation context. This setting allows the XSLT processor to execute document() function calls that can retrieve arbitrary files from the server filesystem through carefully crafted XSL data. According to CWE-22, this represents a path traversal vulnerability where attackers can manipulate input parameters to access files outside the intended directory structure. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of insecure data handling and improper input validation, creating a pathway for attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms by reading critical system files such as configuration data, user credentials, or application logic that would normally be protected from external access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple file access, creating multiple attack vectors that can compromise system integrity and availability. Attackers can leverage this flaw to read arbitrary files including system configuration files, database connection strings, and potentially user authentication data that would enable them to escalate privileges and gain unauthorized administrative access. The ability to modify viewstate data represents another significant concern as it allows attackers to manipulate session state information, potentially leading to session hijacking or privilege escalation attacks. Furthermore, the vulnerability can be exploited to cause denial of service conditions by triggering resource exhaustion through malicious XSL data processing or by accessing system files that could destabilize the application runtime environment.
From a threat modeling perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 which covers social engineering and manipulation of input data to achieve unauthorized access. The attack surface is particularly concerning because it allows for multiple attack vectors including credential theft, session manipulation, and system compromise through a single vulnerable function. The exploitation requires minimal sophistication as attackers only need to craft specific XSL data structures that can be processed by the vulnerable system. Organizations running affected Ektron CMS versions face significant risk of data breaches, service disruption, and potential complete system compromise. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper security configuration management and the dangers of enabling potentially dangerous functionality without adequate input validation and access controls.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-5358 should prioritize immediate patch application to version 8.02 SP5 or later, which properly addresses the insecure XSLT configuration. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit access to CMS systems and employ web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious XSL data patterns. Input validation and sanitization should be strengthened at all points where XSL data is processed, with particular attention to preventing document() function calls from accessing unauthorized file paths. Additionally, system administrators should conduct thorough security assessments to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in other applications that may be using similar XSLT processing capabilities. The remediation process should include comprehensive monitoring and logging of XSLT processing activities to detect potential exploitation attempts and establish proper incident response procedures for handling such security events.