CVE-2012-6513 in gpEasy
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in index.php/Admin_Preferences in gpEasy CMS 2.3.3 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the jsoncallback parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/18/2025
The CVE-2012-6513 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the gpEasy Content Management System version 2.3.3, specifically affecting the Admin_Preferences component accessible through the index.php endpoint. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is one of the most prevalent and dangerous web application security flaws. The vulnerability exists due to insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the jsoncallback parameter handling, allowing malicious actors to inject arbitrary JavaScript code or HTML content that executes in the context of other users' browsers.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious payload containing JavaScript code and submits it through the jsoncallback parameter in the Admin_Preferences section. When the vulnerable gpEasy CMS processes this parameter without proper sanitization, the injected code becomes part of the web page response and executes whenever legitimate users access the administrative interface. This type of vulnerability enables attackers to perform session hijacking, steal user credentials, deface websites, or redirect users to malicious sites. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it targets the administrative interface, potentially granting attackers full control over the content management system and all associated user data.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-6513 extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as it provides attackers with persistent access to the administrative functions of gpEasy CMS installations. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, where attackers can execute malicious code through web-based interfaces. The vulnerability affects any organization running gpEasy CMS 2.3.3, particularly those with multiple administrative users or those handling sensitive content management tasks. Organizations may experience unauthorized content modification, data breaches, and potential compromise of entire web infrastructures. The attack requires minimal technical expertise, making it attractive to a broad range of threat actors from script kiddies to organized cybercriminals.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-6513 should prioritize immediate patching of gpEasy CMS installations to version 2.3.4 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms, particularly for all parameters used in administrative interfaces. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by restricting administrative access to trusted users only and implementing multi-factor authentication. Network segmentation and web application firewalls can provide additional layers of protection, while regular security audits and penetration testing should identify similar vulnerabilities in other web applications. Security monitoring should include detection of suspicious parameter values in administrative interfaces, and incident response procedures should be established to quickly address any exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of keeping content management systems updated and implementing proper security controls in administrative interfaces to prevent unauthorized access and code execution.