CVE-2014-4913 in ZF2014-0
Summary
by MITRE
ZF2014-03 has a potential cross site scripting vector in multiple view helpers
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/12/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-4913 represents a critical cross site scripting weakness discovered within the Zend Framework 2 view helpers component. This security flaw exists in the ZF2014-03 patch release and affects multiple view helper implementations that process user input without proper sanitization mechanisms. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding practices within the framework's rendering components, creating opportunities for malicious actors to inject malicious scripts into web applications built on Zend Framework 2.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when view helpers receive untrusted data from user inputs, form submissions, or API responses and directly incorporate this data into HTML output without appropriate encoding or sanitization. Attackers can exploit this by crafting malicious payloads that, when processed through affected view helpers, get executed in the context of other users' browsers. The flaw typically manifests when developers rely on default view helper behaviors without implementing additional security measures, particularly in scenarios involving dynamic content generation or user-controlled data display.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-4913 extends beyond simple script execution, potentially enabling attackers to perform session hijacking, deface websites, steal sensitive user information, or redirect users to malicious domains. Applications using affected view helpers become vulnerable to persistent XSS attacks where malicious scripts can be stored on the server and executed whenever legitimate users access affected pages. This vulnerability particularly affects web applications that generate dynamic content, handle user comments, process form data, or display user-provided information in web interfaces, making it a significant concern for enterprise applications and content management systems built on Zend Framework 2.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability require immediate patch application from Zend Framework 2 developers, with the recommended approach involving comprehensive input validation, proper output encoding, and implementation of Content Security Policy headers. Organizations should implement strict sanitization routines for all user-provided data before processing through view helpers, utilize framework-provided escaping mechanisms, and conduct regular security code reviews focusing on data flow through rendering components. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross site scripting flaws, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for initial access through malicious web content, emphasizing the importance of proper input sanitization and output encoding practices in web application security.