CVE-2013-1967 in MediaElement.js
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in flashmediaelement.swf in MediaElement.js before 2.11.2, as used in ownCloud Server 5.0.x before 5.0.5 and 4.5.x before 4.5.10, allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the file parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/31/2025
The CVE-2013-1967 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in the flashmediaelement.swf component of MediaElement.js library, which was extensively deployed in various web applications including ownCloud server implementations. This vulnerability specifically affects MediaElement.js versions prior to 2.11.2 and impacts ownCloud server versions 5.0.x before 5.0.5 and 4.5.x before 4.5.10, creating a significant security risk for organizations relying on these software versions. The flaw resides in how the flashmediaelement.swf file processes the file parameter, which serves as an entry point for malicious input injection. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-79 as a classic cross-site scripting vulnerability, where untrusted data flows from the web application to the user's browser without proper sanitization or encoding.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when remote attackers manipulate the file parameter passed to the flashmediaelement.swf component, allowing them to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML code directly into the application's response. This injection happens because the application fails to properly validate or sanitize the input parameter before rendering it within the web page context. The flashmediaelement.swf file, which is designed to handle multimedia content playback, becomes a vector for malicious code execution when it receives untrusted input through the file parameter. Attackers can craft malicious payloads that exploit this weakness to execute scripts in the victim's browser context, potentially leading to session hijacking, data theft, or further exploitation of the compromised system.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-1967 extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to perform various malicious activities within the compromised environment. When exploited, this vulnerability allows adversaries to steal user sessions, access sensitive data, redirect users to malicious websites, or even perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. The vulnerability affects web applications using MediaElement.js for media playback functionality, making it particularly dangerous in collaborative environments like ownCloud where users share files and collaborate. The attack surface is broad since many web applications utilize flash-based media players, and the vulnerability exists in widely deployed software versions, creating a significant risk for organizations that have not yet patched their systems.
Organizations affected by CVE-2013-1967 should prioritize immediate remediation through software updates to MediaElement.js version 2.11.2 or later, as well as applying the corresponding security patches to ownCloud server versions 5.0.5 and 4.5.10. The mitigation strategy should include implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in the future. Security teams should also consider deploying web application firewalls to detect and block malicious payloads attempting to exploit this vulnerability. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1566 as a malicious file execution technique, where the initial compromise occurs through web-based attacks targeting the application layer. Additionally, organizations should conduct thorough security assessments to identify any other instances of vulnerable MediaElement.js implementations within their infrastructure, as the vulnerability may exist in various forms across different software deployments.