CVE-2013-4716 in Tattyan Hptown
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Tattyan HP TOWN 5_9_3 and earlier allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the query string.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/17/2018
The CVE-2013-4716 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw discovered in Tattyan HP TOWN version 5_9_3 and earlier implementations. This vulnerability exists within the web application's input validation mechanisms, specifically failing to properly sanitize user-supplied data entered through the query string parameters. The flaw enables remote attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of other users' browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or unauthorized actions performed on behalf of victims. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79 as Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, which directly relates to the failure to properly escape or validate user-contaminated data before incorporating it into web responses.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious query string containing script code that gets processed by the vulnerable application without adequate sanitization. When legitimate users navigate to URLs containing these malicious payloads, the injected scripts execute in their browsers, potentially accessing session cookies, form data, or other sensitive information. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects the core web application functionality where user input is accepted through standard HTTP query parameters, making it easily exploitable through social engineering or direct URL manipulation. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for Phishing and T1566.002 for Spearphishing Attachment, as attackers can craft malicious URLs that users might inadvertently click.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-4716 extends beyond simple script injection, as it provides attackers with a foothold for more sophisticated attacks including session manipulation, data exfiltration, and potential privilege escalation within the application. Organizations using affected versions of Tattyan HP TOWN face significant risks to user privacy and application integrity, as the vulnerability can be leveraged to impersonate users, access restricted functionality, or modify application data. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers need only know the target application's URL structure to exploit it, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users frequently access web applications with sensitive data. The flaw demonstrates poor input validation practices and highlights the importance of implementing comprehensive security controls such as output encoding, content security policies, and proper parameter validation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate application patching to the latest version of Tattyan HP TOWN that addresses the XSS flaw, combined with implementing robust input validation and output encoding mechanisms. Organizations should deploy web application firewalls to detect and block malicious query strings, implement strict content security policies to prevent script execution, and conduct regular security testing including dynamic application security testing. The vulnerability underscores the need for comprehensive security awareness training for developers regarding secure coding practices and the importance of following established frameworks such as OWASP Top Ten and NIST guidelines for preventing XSS attacks. Additionally, implementing proper error handling and logging mechanisms will help detect exploitation attempts and provide forensic evidence for incident response activities.