CVE-2012-6557 in Aboutme-plugin
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in the AboutMe plugin 1.1.1 for Vanilla Forums allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) AboutMe/RealName, (2) AboutMe/Name, (3) AboutMe/Quote, (4) AboutMe/Loc, (5) AboutMe/Emp, (6) AboutMe/JobTit, (7) AboutMe/HS, (8) AboutMe/Col, (9) AboutMe/Bio, (10) AboutMe/Inter, (11) AboutMe/Mus, (12) AboutMe/Gam, (13) AboutMe/Mov, (14) AboutMe/FTV, or (15) AboutMe/Bks parameter to the Edit My Details page. NOTE: some of these details are obtained from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/23/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-6557 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the AboutMe plugin version 1.1.1 for Vanilla Forums, a widely deployed community discussion platform. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the plugin's user profile editing functionality, specifically affecting multiple user profile fields that store personal information. The flaw exists in the Edit My Details page where user-submitted data is processed and displayed without proper sanitization, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content into the platform's user interface.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the plugin's failure to properly sanitize user inputs across fifteen distinct profile parameters including RealName, Name, Quote, Location, Employment information, and various personal interest fields. These parameters are processed through the plugin's backend without adequate HTML escaping or content validation, allowing attackers to inject malicious payloads that execute within the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability specifically affects the AboutMe plugin's handling of user profile data where input is directly rendered back to users without proper security measures to prevent script execution. This type of flaw aligns with CWE-79 which categorizes cross-site scripting vulnerabilities as weaknesses in web applications that allow attackers to inject client-side scripts into web pages viewed by other users.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it enables attackers to perform various malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, and unauthorized actions within the forum environment. An attacker could craft malicious payloads that steal cookies or session tokens from authenticated users, potentially gaining administrative access to the forum or executing unauthorized actions on behalf of victims. The vulnerability affects all users who view profile information containing malicious scripts, making it particularly dangerous in community forums where user-generated content is prevalent. The third-party information sources mentioned in the description suggest that the vulnerability may be exacerbated by the plugin's reliance on external data sources that are not properly sanitized before being integrated into the user profile display.
Security practitioners should recognize this vulnerability as a classic example of insufficient input sanitization that violates fundamental web security principles and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 related to spearphishing with a link. The affected parameters span across multiple user profile categories, indicating a systemic flaw in the plugin's data handling architecture rather than isolated incidents. Organizations using Vanilla Forums with the AboutMe plugin should immediately implement mitigations including input validation, output encoding, and regular security updates to prevent exploitation. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of comprehensive security testing for third-party plugins and the critical need for proper content sanitization in web applications that handle user-generated content. Remediation efforts should focus on implementing proper HTML escaping for all user inputs, establishing robust input validation mechanisms, and ensuring that all plugin components follow secure coding practices to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in the future.