CVE-2012-6523 in w-CMS
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in w-CMS 2.01 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via (1) the p parameter in the getMenus function in codes/wcms.php; or the COMMENT parameter in (2) blog.php, (3) guestbook.php, or (4) forum.php in codes/. NOTE: some of these details are obtained from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/31/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-6523 represents a critical cross-site scripting weakness in w-CMS version 2.01 that exposes multiple entry points for remote attackers to execute malicious web scripts within the context of affected user sessions. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is classified as a fundamental web application security flaw that allows attackers to inject client-side scripts into web pages viewed by other users. The vulnerability specifically targets the content management system's handling of user input parameters without proper sanitization or output encoding mechanisms, creating an environment where malicious code can be executed in the browsers of unsuspecting victims.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through several distinct attack vectors within the w-CMS application. The first vector involves the p parameter within the getMenus function located in the codes/wcms.php file, where unfiltered user input is directly incorporated into dynamic content generation without appropriate HTML escaping or script validation. The remaining three attack vectors target the COMMENT parameter in blog.php, guestbook.php, and forum.php files within the codes/ directory, all of which demonstrate the same fundamental flaw in input validation and output encoding. These multiple entry points significantly increase the attack surface and provide attackers with various opportunities to successfully inject malicious scripts, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where user-generated content is prevalent.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-6523 extends beyond simple script injection, as it enables attackers to perform various malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, and data exfiltration from authenticated users. When an attacker successfully injects malicious JavaScript through any of these vulnerable parameters, they can potentially steal session cookies, redirect users to phishing sites, or modify content displayed to other users. The vulnerability's classification under the ATT&CK framework as a web application vulnerability allows for further exploitation through techniques such as credential access and persistence mechanisms. Users who interact with the compromised CMS may unknowingly execute malicious scripts that can compromise their entire browsing session, particularly when they have administrative privileges or are logged into sensitive sections of the application.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address the core issue of insufficient input validation and output encoding throughout the w-CMS application. Organizations should implement comprehensive parameter sanitization techniques that validate all user inputs against expected formats and encode output data to prevent script execution in browser contexts. The recommended approach involves applying proper HTML escaping to all dynamic content generated from user inputs, implementing Content Security Policy headers to restrict script execution, and conducting thorough input validation at multiple layers of the application architecture. Additionally, regular security audits and code reviews should be performed to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components, while keeping the CMS updated to versions that have addressed these specific XSS flaws. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following secure coding practices as outlined in OWASP Top 10 and other industry standards that emphasize the need for proper input validation and output encoding to prevent injection attacks.