CVE-2013-6837 in prettyPhoto
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the setTimeout function in js/jquery.prettyPhoto.js in prettyPhoto 3.1.4 and earlier allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via a crafted PATH_INTO to the default URI.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/18/2022
The CVE-2013-6837 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the prettyPhoto lightbox plugin version 3.1.4 and earlier. This vulnerability specifically targets the setTimeout function implementation in the js/jquery.prettyPhoto.js file, creating a pathway for remote attackers to execute malicious code through web scripts or HTML injection. The flaw occurs when the plugin processes a crafted PATH_INTO parameter within the default URI structure, allowing attackers to manipulate the JavaScript execution flow. The vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is classified as one of the most prevalent and dangerous web application security flaws in the industry. This particular implementation weakness demonstrates how client-side JavaScript libraries can become attack vectors when proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms are absent.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires attackers to craft malicious URI parameters that contain script code within the PATH_INTO component. When the prettyPhoto plugin processes these malformed inputs through its setTimeout function, the injected code executes within the victim's browser context, potentially leading to session hijacking, data theft, or redirection to malicious sites. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the JavaScript level within the browser, making it difficult to detect through traditional network-based security measures. The timeout function's handling of user-provided parameters creates a direct code execution path that bypasses normal input validation checks, as the plugin fails to properly escape or sanitize the PATH_INTO parameter before incorporating it into the JavaScript execution context. This flaw aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for JavaScript execution and represents a classic example of unsafe dynamic code generation.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-6837 extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to perform sophisticated attacks such as credential harvesting, cookie theft, or even complete browser compromise through session manipulation. Websites utilizing prettyPhoto versions prior to 3.1.5 become vulnerable to persistent XSS attacks that can affect multiple users simultaneously, especially when the plugin is used in content management systems or web applications where users can submit URLs or parameters. The vulnerability affects any web application that integrates this specific version of the prettyPhoto plugin, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where multiple applications may be vulnerable. Security researchers have noted that this type of vulnerability often leads to broader compromise scenarios, as attackers can leverage the initial XSS foothold to escalate privileges or launch additional attacks against the victim's browser environment. The flaw demonstrates how third-party library vulnerabilities can create widespread security implications across multiple applications that depend on the same vulnerable components.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability involve immediate patching of the prettyPhoto plugin to version 3.1.5 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for proper input sanitization. Organizations should also implement Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution capabilities and prevent unauthorized code injection. Input validation and output encoding should be implemented at multiple layers, including client-side and server-side validation, to ensure that user-provided parameters are properly sanitized before processing. The ATT&CK framework suggests implementing network segmentation and monitoring for suspicious URI patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Regular security audits of third-party libraries and dependencies should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities before they can be exploited. Additionally, web application firewalls can be configured to detect and block malicious parameter patterns associated with this specific vulnerability, providing an additional layer of defense against potential attacks.