CVE-2013-4556 in SPIP
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the author page (prive/formulaires/editer_auteur.php) in SPIP before 2.1.24 and 3.0.x before 3.0.12 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the url_site parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/10/2022
The CVE-2013-4556 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw discovered in the SPIP content management system, specifically within the author page component located at prive/formulaires/editer_auteur.php. This vulnerability affects SPIP versions prior to 2.1.24 and 3.0.x prior to 3.0.12, exposing millions of websites that rely on this open-source platform to potential exploitation by remote attackers. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data before rendering it within web pages, creating a persistent security risk that can be leveraged for various malicious activities.
The technical flaw manifests through the url_site parameter which is processed without proper sanitization measures, allowing attackers to inject malicious scripts or HTML code directly into the author page. When the vulnerable system processes this parameter, it fails to implement adequate output encoding or filtering, enabling the injected content to execute within the browser context of authenticated users. This weakness specifically aligns with CWE-79, which categorizes cross-site scripting vulnerabilities as a result of insufficient input validation and output encoding. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be exploited through various attack vectors including social engineering, where attackers might craft malicious URLs that, when visited by administrators or other users, trigger the execution of malicious code.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, potentially enabling attackers to perform session hijacking, deface websites, steal sensitive information, or redirect users to malicious domains. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability to inject malicious JavaScript that captures user credentials, modifies website content, or establishes persistent backdoors within the affected systems. The risk is particularly elevated for administrators who frequently access the author page, as they represent high-value targets for such attacks. This vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which describes the use of script-based execution through web applications, and T1566, which covers the delivery of malicious payloads through web-based attacks.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of their SPIP installations to versions 2.1.24 or 3.0.12 and later. The recommended mitigations include implementing proper input validation mechanisms, applying output encoding to all user-supplied data, and establishing comprehensive web application firewalls to detect and block malicious payloads. Additionally, security teams should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify any other potential XSS vulnerabilities within their SPIP installations, as this flaw may indicate broader security gaps in the application's input handling mechanisms. Regular security monitoring and user education regarding suspicious website interactions should also be implemented to reduce the risk of successful exploitation. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing defense-in-depth strategies to protect web applications from common but potentially devastating attack vectors.