CVE-2013-5707 in Coursemill Learning Management System
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in Coursemill Learning Management System (LMS) 6.8 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via crafted input containing a %22 sequence, a different issue than CVE-2013-3604.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/16/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-5707 represents a critical cross-site scripting weakness in the Coursemill Learning Management System version 6.8. This flaw enables remote attackers to execute malicious web scripts or HTML code within the context of affected user sessions, potentially compromising the integrity and confidentiality of the learning management environment. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the system processes input containing a %22 sequence, which translates to a double quote character in URL encoding, creating a vector for injection attacks that differ from previously identified issues such as CVE-2013-3604.
The technical implementation of this XSS vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the Coursemill LMS application. When user-supplied data containing the encoded double quote character is processed without proper sanitization, the system fails to properly escape or filter the input before rendering it in web pages. This creates an environment where malicious actors can inject script tags, event handlers, or other HTML elements that execute in the browser context of legitimate users. The %22 sequence serves as a crucial payload delivery mechanism that bypasses basic validation checks, allowing attackers to manipulate the application's behavior through carefully crafted malicious input.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, potentially enabling attackers to perform session hijacking, data theft, or unauthorized administrative actions within the LMS environment. An attacker could craft malicious URLs containing the %22 sequence that, when clicked by authenticated users, would execute scripts to steal session cookies, redirect users to phishing sites, or modify course content. The vulnerability affects the entire user base of the Coursemill LMS, including students, instructors, and administrators, creating a widespread security risk that could compromise educational data and user privacy. This weakness particularly threatens the integrity of learning management systems where sensitive academic information and personal data are routinely handled.
Security mitigations for CVE-2013-5707 should focus on implementing robust input validation and output encoding practices throughout the Coursemill application. The primary defense mechanism involves sanitizing all user inputs containing special characters, particularly those that could be interpreted as HTML or script elements, through proper encoding techniques such as HTML entity encoding. Organizations should also implement Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution and employ proper input validation frameworks that can detect and reject malicious payloads before they are processed. Additionally, regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other parts of the application, following the principles outlined in CWE-79 for cross-site scripting prevention. The remediation process should include updating to patched versions of Coursemill LMS, implementing proper web application firewall rules, and establishing secure coding practices that align with industry standards such as those recommended in the ATT&CK framework for web application vulnerabilities.