CVE-2012-5911 in b2evolution
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in blogs/blog1.php in b2evolution 4.1.3 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the message body.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/24/2019
The CVE-2012-5911 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw identified in the b2evolution content management system version 4.1.3. This vulnerability specifically affects the blogs/blog1.php component where user input is not properly sanitized before being rendered back to web browsers. The flaw enables remote attackers to inject malicious web scripts or HTML code directly into the message body field, creating a persistent XSS vector that can be exploited across multiple users who view the compromised content. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the blogging platform's handling of user-generated content.
This XSS vulnerability operates through a classic injection attack pattern where malicious input is accepted without proper sanitization or encoding. When a user submits content containing malicious script tags or HTML elements through the blog message body, the system fails to properly escape or validate this input before displaying it to other users. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it affects the core blogging functionality and can be exploited by attackers who do not require any special privileges or authentication. The attack vector is straightforward as it involves simply submitting crafted input through the web interface, making it accessible to a wide range of potential threat actors.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable sophisticated attacks including session hijacking, credential theft, and redirection to malicious sites. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to steal cookies, session tokens, or other sensitive information from authenticated users who view the compromised blog posts. The vulnerability also allows for defacement of the blog content, potential data exfiltration, and can serve as a stepping stone for more advanced attacks within the network. The persistence of the vulnerability means that once exploited, the malicious code will continue to execute for all users who view the affected content until the malicious input is removed or the vulnerability is patched.
Security practitioners should consider this vulnerability in the context of CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in software applications. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for initial access through malicious content and T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter. Organizations using b2evolution 4.1.3 should implement immediate mitigations including input validation, output encoding, and content security policies. The recommended remediation involves upgrading to a patched version of b2evolution, implementing proper HTML sanitization for user inputs, and deploying web application firewalls to detect and block malicious payloads. Additionally, regular security testing and input validation reviews should be conducted to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in the application's codebase.