CVE-2013-6793 in Olat
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in the Calendar module in Olat 7.8.0.1 (b20130821 N1) allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) event name or (2) date field.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/22/2025
The CVE-2013-6793 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Calendar module of OLAT version 7.8.0.1, specifically affecting the b20130821 N1 release. This vulnerability exposes the platform to remote code execution risks through malicious web script injection, potentially compromising user sessions and data integrity. The flaw exists in the input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data before rendering it within web pages, creating a pathway for attackers to execute unauthorized scripts in the context of affected users' browsers.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate sanitization of user inputs in two primary fields: event name and date field within the calendar module. Attackers can exploit these weaknesses by submitting malicious payloads containing script tags or other HTML content through these input vectors. When the system processes these inputs without proper validation or encoding, the malicious code becomes embedded in the web page output and executes whenever other users view the affected calendar entries. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, specifically representing a stored XSS variant where the malicious content persists in the application's database.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-6793 extends beyond simple script execution, as it creates opportunities for session hijacking, credential theft, and data exfiltration. An attacker who successfully injects malicious scripts can potentially steal session cookies, redirect users to phishing sites, or modify calendar entries to spread further malicious content. The vulnerability affects the core functionality of the learning management system, potentially compromising educational institutions' digital environments where OLAT serves as a primary platform for course management and scheduling. This risk is particularly severe in enterprise and academic settings where sensitive educational data and user information are stored within the system.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability should focus on implementing comprehensive input sanitization and output encoding mechanisms. The primary defense involves applying strict validation rules to all user inputs, particularly those that are rendered in web contexts, and employing proper HTML escaping techniques before displaying any user-supplied content. Organizations should also implement Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution capabilities and establish regular security auditing procedures to identify similar vulnerabilities. This remediation approach aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 which addresses social engineering through malicious code injection, and follows the principle of defense in depth as outlined in NIST cybersecurity frameworks. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation in web applications and underscores the need for continuous security assessment of enterprise learning platforms.