CVE-2013-5586 in WikkaWiki
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in wikka.php in WikkaWiki before 1.3.4-p1 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the wakka parameter to sql/.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/30/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2013-5586 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw that existed in WikkaWiki versions prior to 1.3.4-p1. This issue specifically affects the wikka.php file within the sql/ directory of the application, creating a significant security risk for users who interact with the wiki system. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization of user-provided data, particularly in the wakka parameter that is processed through the sql/ endpoint.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute malicious scripts within the context of other users' browsers by injecting arbitrary web script or HTML code into the wakka parameter. This occurs because the application fails to properly sanitize or escape user input before rendering it in the web page output. When a user visits a page containing the malicious payload, the injected script executes in their browser, potentially leading to session hijacking, data theft, or further exploitation of the affected system. The vulnerability specifically targets the sql/ directory processing, indicating that the issue is not merely a general XSS flaw but one that exploits a particular code path within the application's database handling functionality.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to perform various malicious activities including credential theft, session manipulation, and data exfiltration from users who access compromised wiki pages. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation does not require any special privileges or local access to the system, making it particularly dangerous for widely accessible wiki platforms. Users who browse to pages containing malicious content may unknowingly execute scripts that can capture their session cookies, redirect them to malicious sites, or perform actions on their behalf within the wiki environment. This type of vulnerability directly violates the principle of least privilege and can severely compromise the integrity and confidentiality of user data within the wiki system.
The remediation for this vulnerability requires immediate application of the security patch released with WikkaWiki version 1.3.4-p1, which properly implements input validation and output sanitization for the affected parameter. Organizations should conduct thorough security assessments to identify any other potential injection vectors within their wiki infrastructure and ensure that all user-provided content undergoes proper sanitization before being rendered in web pages. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which describes cross-site scripting flaws in software applications, and represents a clear violation of secure coding practices that should be addressed through proper input validation, output encoding, and security testing procedures. Additionally, implementing content security policies and regular security audits can help prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in other components of the wiki system or related applications.