CVE-2012-6453 in Rssreader
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the RSS Reader extension before 0.2.6 for MediaWiki allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via a crafted feed.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/25/2017
The CVE-2012-6453 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the RSS Reader extension for MediaWiki platforms prior to version 0.2.6. This vulnerability exposes web applications to malicious injection attacks that can compromise user sessions and execute unauthorized code within the victim's browser context. The vulnerability specifically affects the processing of RSS feed data within the MediaWiki environment, creating a pathway for remote attackers to exploit the system through crafted malicious feeds.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output sanitization within the RSS Reader extension's feed processing logic. When the extension retrieves and displays RSS feed content, it fails to properly escape or filter user-supplied data before rendering it in the web interface. This lack of proper data sanitization creates an environment where malicious actors can embed JavaScript code, HTML tags, or other malicious content within RSS feed entries. The vulnerability manifests when the extension processes feeds containing crafted payloads that can execute in the context of authenticated users who view the affected pages.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-6453 extends beyond simple script injection, potentially enabling attackers to perform session hijacking, steal user credentials, redirect users to malicious websites, or execute arbitrary commands within the victim's browser. Given that MediaWiki platforms often serve as content management systems for collaborative environments, the exploitation of this vulnerability could allow attackers to compromise entire wiki communities. The attack vector requires minimal privileges as remote attackers can craft malicious RSS feeds without authentication, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous for publicly accessible MediaWiki installations that utilize RSS feed integration.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately upgrade to MediaWiki version 0.2.6 or later where the XSS protection mechanisms have been implemented. System administrators should also implement additional defensive measures including input validation for RSS feed content, output encoding for all feed data, and regular security audits of third-party extensions. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for script injection. Security teams should monitor for indicators of compromise such as unusual feed processing activity, unexpected redirects, or suspicious user behavior patterns that may suggest exploitation attempts. Regular patch management processes should be strengthened to ensure timely deployment of security updates for all MediaWiki extensions and core components.