CVE-2012-6658 in SpiceWorks
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in SpiceWorks 5.3.75941 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) syslocation, (2) syscontact, or (3) sysName configuration in snmpd.conf. NOTE: this entry was SPLIT from CVE-2012-2956 per ADT2 due to different vulnerability types.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/29/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-6658 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting SpiceWorks version 5.3.75941. This issue stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the web application's handling of SNMP configuration parameters. The vulnerability specifically targets three distinct configuration fields within the snmpd.conf file: syslocation, syscontact, and sysName. These parameters are commonly used in network management protocols to store system identification and contact information, making them prime targets for malicious injection attacks.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when remote attackers craft malicious payloads containing script code within the designated SNMP configuration fields. When the web application displays these unfiltered configuration values in its user interface, the embedded scripts execute in the context of other users' browsers, creating a persistent cross-site scripting condition. This flaw falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting vulnerabilities where applications fail to properly validate or escape user-controllable data before incorporating it into dynamically generated web pages. The vulnerability's classification aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 which encompasses phishing and social engineering tactics that leverage web-based attack vectors.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it enables attackers to hijack user sessions, steal sensitive information, and potentially escalate privileges within the affected environment. An attacker could inject malicious scripts that redirect users to fraudulent websites, steal authentication cookies, or modify the application's behavior to facilitate further attacks. The persistence of these XSS vulnerabilities means that once exploited, the malicious code continues to execute for all users who view the affected configuration pages, creating a continuous threat vector. This particular vulnerability affects the network management capabilities of SpiceWorks, potentially compromising the integrity of system monitoring and configuration data.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-6658 should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application's data flow. Organizations should ensure that all user-supplied data, particularly configuration parameters, undergo strict sanitization before being rendered in web interfaces. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide additional defense-in-depth measures against script injection attacks. Regular security updates and patch management procedures should be prioritized to address known vulnerabilities in third-party applications. Network segmentation and access controls can limit the potential impact of successful exploitation, while user education regarding suspicious web content can help reduce the likelihood of successful social engineering attacks. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of validating all input data and properly escaping output to prevent XSS attacks, aligning with security best practices outlined in the OWASP Top Ten project and NIST cybersecurity guidelines.