CVE-2013-3645 in Orchard
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Orchard.Comments module in Orchard before 1.6.1 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/17/2019
The CVE-2013-3645 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Orchard.Comments module of the Orchard content management platform. This vulnerability existed in Orchard versions prior to 1.6.1 and exposed web applications using the platform to potential exploitation by remote attackers. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the comments module, creating a pathway for malicious actors to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content into the application's response. The unspecified vectors indicate that the attack could occur through multiple entry points within the comment submission or display functionality, making the vulnerability particularly concerning for web applications that rely on user-generated content. The flaw directly violates security principles by failing to properly sanitize user inputs before rendering them in the web page context.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications. The root cause lies in the improper handling of user-supplied data within the Orchard.Comments module, where submitted comments are not adequately escaped or validated before being rendered to end users. Attackers can exploit this weakness by submitting malicious payloads through comment forms that contain script tags or other HTML elements designed to execute in the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple script execution as it can enable session hijacking, credential theft, and other malicious activities that compromise user security. This type of vulnerability typically requires no special privileges to exploit and can affect any user who views the maliciously crafted comment content.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-3645 is significant for organizations utilizing Orchard CMS platforms, particularly those with user comment systems. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute malicious scripts in the browsers of other users, potentially leading to unauthorized access to sensitive information, session manipulation, and persistent security breaches. The vulnerability creates an attack surface that can be exploited through social engineering tactics, where attackers submit malicious comments to gain access to user sessions or steal sensitive data. Organizations using the affected versions of Orchard may experience reputational damage, regulatory compliance issues, and potential legal consequences due to the exposure of user data and system integrity compromises. The vulnerability's persistence in the platform's comment handling mechanism means that any comment submitted through the vulnerable system could serve as a vector for exploitation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-3645 focus on implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the affected Orchard.Comments module. Organizations should immediately upgrade to Orchard version 1.6.1 or later, which includes the necessary patches to address the XSS vulnerability. Additionally, administrators should implement comprehensive content filtering and sanitization measures to prevent malicious content from being stored or displayed within the platform. Security measures should include the implementation of Content Security Policy headers to limit the execution of unauthorized scripts, proper HTML escaping of all user-generated content, and regular security audits of the platform's comment handling functionality. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring systems to detect and prevent exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's resolution through version updates aligns with industry best practices for addressing known security flaws and demonstrates the importance of maintaining current software versions to protect against known threats. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical need for proper input validation and output encoding in web applications, as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and other security standards that emphasize the prevention of XSS attacks through proper data sanitization and context-appropriate escaping techniques.