CVE-2013-6047 in Ikiwiki Hosting
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in the site creation interface in ikiwiki-hosting before 0.20131025 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/17/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-6047 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the site creation interface of ikiwiki-hosting software versions prior to 0.20131025. This issue falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, specifically targeting the web application's input validation mechanisms during site creation processes. The vulnerability's severity stems from its ability to permit remote attackers to inject malicious scripts or HTML content directly into the application's user interface, creating persistent security risks for all users interacting with affected systems.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs within the input sanitization and output encoding mechanisms of the ikiwiki-hosting platform's site creation module. Attackers can exploit unspecified vectors within the interface to submit malicious payloads that are subsequently executed in the browsers of other users who access the compromised site. This type of vulnerability typically arises when the application fails to properly validate or escape user-supplied data before rendering it in web pages, allowing attackers to inject script tags or other HTML elements that execute in the context of legitimate user sessions.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-6047 extends beyond simple script execution, potentially enabling attackers to hijack user sessions, steal sensitive information, or perform unauthorized actions on behalf of victims. When users create or manage sites through the vulnerable interface, any malicious input can be stored and executed in subsequent page loads, creating a persistent threat vector. This vulnerability particularly affects web applications that allow users to create content or modify site parameters, as it undermines the trust model between users and the application. The attack surface is amplified when considering that the vulnerability affects the site creation interface, which typically requires elevated privileges and can impact multiple users within the system.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected ikiwiki-hosting installations to version 0.20131025 or later, which should include proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms. Organizations should implement comprehensive input sanitization routines that filter or escape all user-supplied data before processing or storage, particularly in areas where HTML content is rendered. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide additional defense-in-depth measures by restricting script execution within affected interfaces. Security teams should also conduct thorough code reviews focusing on all user input handling within web interfaces, ensuring that proper sanitization techniques are applied consistently across all application modules. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, as it enables attackers to execute malicious scripts within user contexts, and represents a classic example of how insufficient input validation can lead to widespread session hijacking and data compromise across multiple user accounts.