CVE-2012-6517 in DiY-CMS
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in DiY-CMS 1.0 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) question parameter to in /modules/poll/add.php or (2) question or (3) answer parameter to modules/poll/edit.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/02/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-6517 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within DiY-CMS version 1.0 that exposes the system to remote code execution through malicious web script injection. This vulnerability resides in the poll module functionality where user input is improperly sanitized before being processed and rendered back to users. The specific attack vectors target three distinct parameters within the poll management system: the question parameter in the add.php file and both question and answer parameters in the edit.php file. These locations represent common injection points where unvalidated user input flows directly into web page output without proper encoding or validation mechanisms.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows established patterns described in CWE-79, which categorizes cross-site scripting as a weakness where applications fail to properly validate or encode user-controllable data before incorporating it into dynamically generated web content. The flaw manifests when attackers submit malicious payloads through the poll module interfaces, allowing them to inject arbitrary HTML and JavaScript code that executes in the context of other users' browsers. This creates a persistent threat where compromised users become unwitting participants in further attacks, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by its location within a content management system where user interactions are expected to be safe and controlled.
Operationally, this vulnerability presents significant risks to organizations using DiY-CMS 1.0 as it enables attackers to compromise the entire user base that interacts with poll functionality. The attack requires minimal privileges and can be executed remotely without authentication, making it particularly dangerous for public-facing websites that allow user contributions. The persistent nature of XSS vulnerabilities means that once exploited, malicious scripts can remain active until the affected application is patched or the compromised data is manually removed. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001, which covers credential access through spearphishing attachments, as attackers can leverage XSS to harvest user credentials or manipulate poll results to influence user behavior. The affected parameters in both add.php and edit.php files create multiple entry points for exploitation, increasing the attack surface and making comprehensive patching more complex.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-6517 must focus on implementing robust input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the DiY-CMS application. The primary remediation involves sanitizing all user inputs through proper encoding before processing, particularly targeting the poll module parameters mentioned in the vulnerability description. Organizations should implement Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution and prevent unauthorized code injection. Additionally, the application should employ proper parameter validation techniques that reject or sanitize malicious input patterns before they can be stored or rendered. Security patches should be applied immediately to upgrade to a patched version of DiY-CMS, as the vulnerability affects core functionality that is integral to the system's user interaction model. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing to ensure that all user input points within the poll module are properly secured against similar injection attacks, with particular attention to maintaining backward compatibility while strengthening security controls.