CVE-2013-4889 in Xibo
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site request forgery (CSRF) vulnerabilities in index.php in Digital Signage Xibo 1.4.2 allow remote attackers to hijack the authentication of administrators for requests that (1) add a new administrator via the AddUser action or (2) conduct cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks, as demonstrated by CVE-2013-4888.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/08/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-4889 represents a critical cross-site request forgery flaw in Digital Signage Xibo version 1.4.2 that fundamentally undermines the application's administrative security controls. This CSRF vulnerability specifically targets the index.php file and exploits the lack of proper authentication verification mechanisms when processing administrative actions, creating a pathway for remote attackers to execute unauthorized operations within the system's administrative interface.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to validate the origin and authenticity of requests made to administrative functions. When administrators perform actions such as adding new users through the AddUser functionality or when the system processes requests that could lead to cross-site scripting exploits, the application does not properly verify that these requests originate from legitimate administrative sessions. This absence of anti-CSRF token validation or session verification creates a persistent security gap that attackers can exploit to perform unauthorized administrative tasks without proper authentication.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it enables attackers to fundamentally compromise the administrative integrity of the digital signage system. By leveraging this CSRF flaw, malicious actors can add new administrator accounts, potentially gaining persistent access to the system and establishing backdoors for future exploitation. The vulnerability's relationship to CVE-2013-4888 demonstrates how CSRF weaknesses can compound into more severe security issues, as the same vulnerability can be exploited to facilitate cross-site scripting attacks that could lead to complete system compromise and data exfiltration.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-352, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Request Forgery weaknesses in software applications. The flaw represents a classic example of insufficient anti-CSRF measures in web applications and demonstrates how inadequate session management and request validation can create persistent security risks. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under privilege escalation and persistence tactics, as attackers can leverage CSRF to establish unauthorized administrative access that can be maintained over time. Organizations utilizing Digital Signage Xibo 1.4.2 face significant risk of unauthorized system compromise, particularly in environments where digital signage systems control critical infrastructure or handle sensitive information.
The recommended mitigation strategies include implementing robust anti-CSRF token mechanisms, ensuring proper session validation for all administrative actions, and applying immediate security patches provided by the vendor. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and monitoring to detect unauthorized administrative activities. The vulnerability underscores the critical importance of proper input validation and authentication mechanisms in web applications, particularly those handling administrative functions. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other applications and systems within the organization's infrastructure.