CVE-2012-5873 in ARC
Summary
by MITRE • 04/26/2023
ARC (aka ARC2) through 2011-12-01 allows reflected XSS via the end_point.php query parameter in an output=htmltab action.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/20/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-5873 affects ARC (Application Response Cache) version 2011-12-01 and earlier, specifically targeting the end_point.php component within the application's web interface. This issue represents a classic reflected cross-site scripting vulnerability that exploits how the application processes user input through the output=htmltab action parameter. The flaw enables malicious actors to inject arbitrary JavaScript code into web pages viewed by other users, creating a persistent threat vector that can be leveraged for various attack scenarios including session hijacking, credential theft, and redirection to malicious sites.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output sanitization within the ARC application's processing pipeline. When the end_point.php script receives the query parameter through the output=htmltab action, it fails to properly escape or filter user-supplied data before incorporating it into the HTML response. This creates an environment where attacker-controlled content can be directly embedded into the web page's output, allowing malicious scripts to execute within the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the application renders HTML content without adequate protection against script injection, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users trust the application's interface.
The operational impact of this reflected XSS vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it can enable attackers to manipulate the application's behavior and compromise user sessions. An attacker could craft malicious URLs containing JavaScript payloads that, when clicked by unsuspecting users, would execute code within their browser context. This could result in unauthorized access to sensitive data, modification of application functionality, or redirection to phishing sites designed to harvest user credentials. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires no privileged access to exploit, making it accessible to anyone who can influence the target user's navigation to the affected endpoint. The reflected nature of the vulnerability means that the malicious payload must be delivered through social engineering tactics such as phishing emails or compromised websites, but once executed, it can persistently compromise user sessions.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application's codebase. The most effective approach involves sanitizing all user-supplied input before processing and ensuring that any data incorporated into HTML responses undergoes proper escaping according to the context in which it appears. This includes implementing Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution and using frameworks that automatically handle output encoding for different contexts. Additionally, developers should implement proper parameter validation to reject malformed inputs and employ web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious patterns in incoming requests. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and could be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1566 for initial access through spearphishing attachments or links, highlighting the importance of both technical controls and user education in preventing exploitation of such vulnerabilities.