CVE-2012-6566 in REDCap
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in REDCap before 4.14.2 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/18/2019
The CVE-2012-6566 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw discovered in the REDCap research data management platform prior to version 4.14.2. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting attacks where malicious scripts can be injected into web applications. The flaw enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of a victim's browser session, potentially leading to unauthorized data access, session hijacking, or further exploitation of the compromised system. REDCap, being a widely used platform for managing sensitive research data, makes this vulnerability particularly concerning for academic and medical institutions handling confidential information.
The technical nature of this XSS vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the REDCap application. Attackers can exploit unspecified vectors to inject malicious code that persists in the application's database or user interface elements. When other users view affected pages or interact with the compromised application components, the injected scripts execute in their browsers, creating a persistent threat that can be leveraged for various malicious activities. The vulnerability's classification as a remote attack means that no privileged access or local system compromise is required for exploitation, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments where multiple users interact with the platform.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-6566 extends beyond simple script injection, as it can facilitate more sophisticated attacks within the compromised environment. An attacker could potentially steal user authentication tokens, access sensitive research data, modify database entries, or redirect users to malicious websites. In research environments where REDCap is used for clinical trials, patient studies, or confidential research projects, this vulnerability could lead to severe data breaches and compliance violations. The attack surface is particularly broad given that REDCap is used across various sectors including healthcare, academia, and government research facilities, each potentially containing highly sensitive information that could be compromised through exploitation of this vulnerability.
Organizations utilizing REDCap should prioritize immediate remediation by upgrading to version 4.14.2 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address this XSS vulnerability. Additionally, implementing comprehensive input validation measures, output encoding, and regular security assessments can help prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in the future. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under T1213 - Data from Information Repositories, highlighting the potential for attackers to leverage such flaws to extract sensitive research data. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and content security policies as additional protective measures. Regular security training for users and administrators, along with maintaining updated security patches across all systems, forms a comprehensive defense strategy against this and similar vulnerabilities in research data management platforms.