CVE-2015-10058 in Category Browser
Summary
by MITRE • 01/17/2023
A vulnerability, which was classified as problematic, was found in Wikisource Category Browser. This affects an unknown part of the file index.php. The manipulation of the argument lang leads to cross site scripting. It is possible to initiate the attack remotely. The name of the patch is 764f4e8ce3f9242637df77530c70ae8a2ec4b6a1. It is recommended to apply a patch to fix this issue. The associated identifier of this vulnerability is VDB-218415.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/08/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-10058 represents a cross-site scripting flaw within the Wikisource Category Browser component, specifically affecting the index.php file. This security weakness falls under the category of input validation and output encoding failures that permit malicious actors to inject harmful scripts into web applications. The vulnerability manifests when the lang parameter is manipulated, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript code within the context of other users' browsers. The flaw exists in the application's handling of user-supplied input without proper sanitization or encoding mechanisms, creating a persistent security risk that can be exploited through web-based attacks.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of the lang argument in the index.php file, which serves as an entry point for attackers to inject malicious payloads. This type of vulnerability maps directly to CWE-79, which describes Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) conditions where untrusted data is incorporated into web pages without proper validation or encoding. The attack can be initiated remotely, meaning that an attacker does not require physical access to the system or network to exploit this weakness. The vulnerability's remote exploitability makes it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered through web browsers when users navigate to compromised web pages or click on malicious links that contain the crafted payloads.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, and redirection to malicious websites. The affected Wikisource Category Browser component suggests that users accessing the platform could be exposed to unauthorized code execution, potentially compromising the integrity and confidentiality of user data. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to steal session cookies, modify user preferences, or even gain unauthorized access to restricted resources within the application. The vulnerability's classification as problematic indicates that it poses a significant risk to the security posture of the affected system and requires immediate remediation.
The recommended mitigation strategy involves applying the patch identified by the hash 764f4e8ce3f9242637df77530c70ae8a2ec4b6a1, which would address the input validation weakness in the lang parameter handling. This patch should be implemented as part of a comprehensive security update process to ensure that the application properly sanitizes and encodes user input before processing. Organizations should also consider implementing additional defensive measures such as content security policies, input validation frameworks, and regular security assessments to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in other components of the application. The vulnerability's association with VDB-218415 indicates that it has been documented and tracked within security databases, making it easier for organizations to identify and remediate the issue through standard vulnerability management processes.