CVE-2012-5883 in Bugzilla
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Flash component infrastructure in YUI 2.8.0 through 2.9.0, as used in Bugzilla 3.7.x and 4.0.x before 4.0.9, 4.1.x and 4.2.x before 4.2.4, and 4.3.x and 4.4.x before 4.4rc1, allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via vectors related to swfstore.swf, a similar issue to CVE-2010-4209.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/20/2021
The vulnerability described in CVE-2012-5883 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Flash component infrastructure of the Yahoo User Interface (YUI) library version 2.8.0 through 2.9.0. This vulnerability specifically affects the swfstore.swf file which serves as a Flash-based storage mechanism within the YUI framework. The issue allows remote attackers to inject malicious web scripts or HTML content through improper input validation and sanitization within the Flash component's handling of user-supplied data. This vulnerability is particularly concerning because it leverages the Flash runtime environment to execute malicious code in the context of the victim's browser session, bypassing standard web application security controls that typically protect against XSS attacks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate sanitization of user input within the Flash component infrastructure. When the swfstore.swf file processes data from web applications using YUI, it fails to properly validate or escape input parameters that are subsequently rendered in the browser context. This flaw creates an environment where attackers can craft malicious payloads that, when processed by the Flash component, execute arbitrary JavaScript code or inject HTML content. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79 as "Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting')", which specifically addresses the failure to properly sanitize user input before it is incorporated into dynamically generated web content. The attack vector operates through the Flash component's ability to store and retrieve data using Flash Local Shared Objects, making it particularly dangerous as it can persist across browser sessions and potentially evade detection by traditional security measures.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-5883 extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as it enables attackers to execute persistent malicious code within the context of authenticated user sessions. This creates significant risk for Bugzilla installations that utilize affected YUI versions, as attackers could potentially escalate privileges, access sensitive bug reports, manipulate data, or establish persistent backdoors through the injected scripts. The vulnerability affects multiple major versions of Bugzilla including 3.7.x through 4.4.x, indicating a widespread exposure across various release lines. The impact is amplified by the fact that the vulnerability is similar to CVE-2010-4209, suggesting a pattern of inadequate input validation within the YUI Flash component infrastructure that has persisted across multiple versions, making it a particularly concerning issue for organizations maintaining legacy systems.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to Bugzilla versions 4.0.9, 4.2.4, and 4.4rc1 or later, which contain the necessary patches to address the XSS flaw in the YUI Flash components. The recommended approach involves not only upgrading the Bugzilla application but also ensuring that all dependent YUI library components are updated to versions that properly sanitize input before Flash component processing. Security teams should also consider implementing content security policies that restrict Flash content execution and monitor for suspicious Flash Local Shared Object usage. Additionally, organizations should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify any other applications or systems that might be utilizing the vulnerable YUI versions, as this vulnerability could potentially be exploited in broader attack scenarios. The remediation strategy should also include network-level controls such as web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious Flash-based payload delivery, particularly focusing on the specific swfstore.swf file access patterns that trigger the vulnerability.