CVE-2013-7342 in Flowplayer HTML5
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in flowplayer.swf in the Flash fallback feature in Flowplayer HTML5 5.4.1 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the callback parameter, a related issue to CVE-2013-7341.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/08/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-7342 represents a cross-site scripting flaw within the Flowplayer HTML5 media player version 5.4.1, specifically affecting the Flash fallback mechanism. This issue resides in the flowplayer.swf component that serves as a backup playback option when HTML5 fails to function properly in certain browsers or environments. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization of the callback parameter, which is utilized during the Flash fallback process to handle player events and communication between the Flash component and the surrounding web page. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious payloads within the callback parameter that get executed when the Flash player processes the request, effectively bypassing standard security measures designed to prevent script injection attacks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which defines cross-site scripting as a weakness where untrusted data is incorporated into web pages without proper validation or sanitization. The flaw specifically manifests when the Flash player component fails to properly escape or filter user-supplied input from the callback parameter before incorporating it into dynamic content generation. This allows attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code that executes within the context of the victim's browser session, potentially leading to session hijacking, data theft, or further exploitation of the compromised system. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it leverages the Flash fallback mechanism, which many web applications still rely on for backward compatibility, making it accessible to a broader range of attack surfaces.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-7342 extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable sophisticated attack vectors within the context of the attacker's target environment. When exploited, this vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML content, potentially leading to complete compromise of user sessions or redirection to malicious sites. The attack requires minimal privileges and can be executed through simple web requests that manipulate the callback parameter, making it highly accessible to threat actors. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in environments where Flowplayer is used for content management, media streaming, or collaborative platforms where users might unknowingly trigger the malicious code through legitimate player interactions. Security professionals should note that this issue is related to CVE-2013-7341, indicating a pattern of similar weaknesses in the Flowplayer implementation that suggests broader architectural concerns with how user input is handled within the media player framework.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-7342 should focus on immediate patching of the Flowplayer HTML5 component to version 5.4.2 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the callback parameter validation. Organizations should implement strict input validation and sanitization measures for all user-supplied parameters that might be processed by Flash components or embedded media players. Network defenders should consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious callback parameter values, particularly those containing script tags or common XSS payload patterns. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1203, which covers Exploitation for Client Execution, and T1059, which addresses Command and Scripting Interpreter, highlighting the need for comprehensive monitoring of suspicious script execution patterns. Additionally, security teams should conduct thorough code reviews of all embedded Flash components and media player integrations to identify similar vulnerabilities, as this issue demonstrates a pattern of insufficient input sanitization in multimedia player implementations that could affect other components within the same ecosystem.