CVE-2013-4649 in DotNetNuke
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in DotNetNuke (DNN) before 6.2.9 and 7.x before 7.1.1 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the __dnnVariable parameter to the default URI.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/07/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-4649 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw discovered in DotNetNuke content management systems prior to version 6.2.9 and 7.x before 7.1.1. This vulnerability resides in the handling of the __dnnVariable parameter within the default URI of the application, creating a pathway for remote attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of affected users' browsers. The flaw stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization of user-supplied data that flows through this specific parameter, allowing attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML code that gets executed when other users view the affected pages.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the improper handling of the __dnnVariable parameter which is typically used for internal DotNetNuke functionality but fails to properly sanitize input before rendering it in web responses. When an attacker crafts a malicious payload and includes it in this parameter, the application processes the input without adequate security measures to prevent script execution. This weakness enables attackers to bypass standard security controls and inject client-side code that can manipulate the victim's browser session, steal cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and specifically targets the web interface rendering logic that processes user input through this particular parameter.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-4649 extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to conduct session hijacking, perform unauthorized actions, and potentially escalate privileges within the affected DotNetNuke installations. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to compromise user accounts, steal sensitive information, manipulate content, or redirect users to phishing sites. The vulnerability affects organizations using older versions of DotNetNuke CMS, potentially exposing thousands of websites to exploitation, particularly those that do not maintain regular update schedules or have insufficient security monitoring in place. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation can occur from any location without requiring physical access to the target system, making it particularly dangerous for web applications hosting sensitive data or user information.
Organizations should immediately upgrade to DotNetNuke versions 6.2.9 or 7.1.1 and later to remediate this vulnerability, as these releases include proper input sanitization and validation for the affected parameter. Additional mitigations include implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious payloads targeting this specific parameter, conducting regular security assessments of web applications, and ensuring comprehensive input validation across all user-facing parameters. Security teams should also implement proper monitoring for suspicious parameter usage and establish incident response procedures for potential exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which describes cross-site scripting flaws, and represents a typical example of how improper input validation can lead to severe security consequences in web applications. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a web application attack vector that can lead to privilege escalation and data theft through client-side exploitation techniques.