CVE-2012-6565 in REDCap
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in REDCap before 4.14.3 allows remote authenticated users to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via uppercase characters in JavaScript events within user-defined labels.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/17/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-6565 represents a cross-site scripting flaw within the REDCap research data management platform affecting versions prior to 4.14.3. This issue specifically targets the application's handling of user-defined labels and JavaScript event attributes, creating a persistent security weakness that could be exploited by authenticated attackers. The vulnerability demonstrates a critical failure in input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the platform's user interface components.
The technical exploitation occurs when authenticated users leverage uppercase characters within JavaScript events contained in user-defined labels. This particular implementation flaw allows attackers to bypass existing security controls that typically filter lowercase JavaScript event handlers such as onclick, onmouseover, or onfocus. The vulnerability stems from insufficient sanitization of user-provided content within the label rendering system, where the application fails to properly escape or validate JavaScript event attributes regardless of their case sensitivity. This weakness enables attackers to inject malicious script code that executes in the context of other users' browsers when they view the compromised labels.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it provides attackers with the ability to execute arbitrary web scripts and HTML content within the context of authenticated sessions. This capability enables a range of malicious activities including session hijacking, data exfiltration, and the potential for privilege escalation within the application's user management system. The authenticated nature of the attack means that attackers must first establish a valid account within the REDCap environment, but once achieved, they can manipulate the application's user interface to compromise other users who view the maliciously crafted labels.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with CWE-116, concerning improper encoding or escaping of output. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007 for the execution of scripts via web browsers and T1566 for the initial compromise through web application attacks. The flaw represents a classic example of insecure input handling where the application trust model fails to properly validate and sanitize user-provided content before rendering it within the browser context.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the REDCap platform. Organizations should ensure that all user-defined labels and content undergo strict sanitization processes that remove or encode potentially dangerous JavaScript event attributes regardless of their case format. The recommended approach includes implementing robust HTML escaping routines, adopting Content Security Policy headers, and applying the principle of least privilege to user account permissions. Additionally, regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in the application's data handling and rendering processes. The most effective remediation involves updating to REDCap version 4.14.3 or later, which includes proper input sanitization controls that address this specific XSS vector.