CVE-2012-6037 in Mahara
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in Mahara 1.4.x before 1.4.5 and 1.5.x before 1.5.4, and other versions including 1.2, allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via a CSV header with "unknown fields," which are not properly handled in error messages in the (1) bulk user, (2) group, and (3) group member upload capabilities. NOTE: this issue was originally part of CVE-2012-2243, but that ID was SPLIT due to different issues by different researchers.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/20/2021
The vulnerability described in CVE-2012-6037 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting the Mahara learning management system. This vulnerability specifically targets versions 1.4.x prior to 1.4.5 and 1.5.x prior to 1.5.4, along with other affected versions including 1.2. The issue stems from improper handling of CSV file uploads, particularly when processing "unknown fields" that appear in error messages during bulk data operations. This vulnerability falls under CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting vulnerabilities in web applications, making it a direct descendant of the well-known weakness in input validation and output encoding.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the bulk upload capabilities of Mahara, specifically affecting three distinct modules: bulk user management, group management, and group member upload functions. When administrators or users attempt to upload CSV files containing unknown or malformed fields, the system generates error messages that do not properly sanitize or encode the input data before displaying it to users. This creates an opportunity for remote attackers to inject malicious scripts or HTML code that will execute in the context of other users' browsers when they view these error messages. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it leverages the trust relationship between the application and its users, allowing attackers to execute code in the victim's browser session.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-6037 extends beyond simple data corruption or display issues, as it provides attackers with the ability to perform session hijacking, deface the learning management system, or redirect users to malicious sites. The vulnerability affects the core functionality of the platform's administrative features, potentially allowing attackers to escalate privileges or access sensitive user data. Given that Mahara is commonly used in educational institutions and corporate training environments, the potential for widespread impact is significant. The vulnerability's classification under ATT&CK technique T1566.001, "Phishing via Social Engineering", highlights its potential use in targeted attacks where attackers craft malicious CSV files to exploit the system and gain unauthorized access to user sessions.
The remediation strategy for CVE-2012-6037 requires immediate patching of affected Mahara installations to versions 1.4.5 or 1.5.4, which contain the necessary fixes for proper input validation and output encoding. Organizations should implement comprehensive input sanitization measures that prevent any user-controllable data from being displayed in error messages without proper HTML encoding or escaping. Additionally, administrators should consider implementing additional security controls such as file type validation, size restrictions, and content scanning for CSV uploads. The vulnerability's nature suggests that organizations should also review their error handling mechanisms across all web applications to ensure that user-supplied data is never directly rendered in error messages without proper sanitization. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other web applications within the organization's infrastructure.