CVE-2015-10073 in WikiSEO
Summary
by MITRE • 02/06/2023
A vulnerability, which was classified as problematic, was found in tinymighty WikiSEO 1.2.1. This affects the function modifyHTML of the file WikiSEO.body.php of the component Meta Property Tag Handler. The manipulation of the argument content leads to cross site scripting. It is possible to initiate the attack remotely. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used. Upgrading to version 1.2.2 is able to address this issue. The name of the patch is 089a5797be612b18a820f9f1e6593ad9a91b1dba. It is recommended to upgrade the affected component. The associated identifier of this vulnerability is VDB-220215.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/05/2023
This vulnerability resides within the tinymighty WikiSEO extension version 1.2.1, specifically within the Meta Property Tag Handler component. The flaw manifests in the modifyHTML function of the WikiSEO.body.php file, where improper input validation allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary HTML content. The vulnerability is classified as a cross-site scripting issue, which represents a critical security weakness in web applications. The attack vector is remote, meaning that an attacker can exploit this vulnerability without requiring physical access to the target system. The vulnerability has been publicly disclosed and is known to be actively exploited in the wild, making it particularly dangerous for organizations that have not yet patched their systems.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient sanitization of user-supplied content within the content argument of the modifyHTML function. When the WikiSEO extension processes metadata tags for web pages, it fails to properly escape or validate the content parameter, creating an opening for malicious script injection. This flaw directly aligns with CWE-79, which describes cross-site scripting vulnerabilities that occur when web applications fail to properly validate or escape user input before incorporating it into dynamic web content. The vulnerability's classification as a remote exploit means that attackers can leverage this weakness through web browsers without requiring any special privileges or local system access, making it particularly attractive to threat actors seeking to compromise multiple systems simultaneously.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it allows attackers to potentially steal user sessions, deface web pages, redirect users to malicious sites, or even execute additional attacks through the compromised system. The affected WikiSEO extension is commonly used in wiki environments where multiple users contribute content, creating an environment where malicious actors can easily exploit this vulnerability to compromise entire wiki installations. The fact that this vulnerability has been publicly disclosed and is actively used in the wild means that organizations with unpatched systems are immediately at risk of exploitation. The vulnerability represents a significant threat to web application security, particularly in environments where wiki platforms are used for collaborative content management, as it can lead to complete compromise of the affected systems.
Organizations should immediately implement the recommended upgrade to version 1.2.2, which includes the patch identified by the commit hash 089a5797be612b18a820f9f1e6593ad9a91b1dba. This patch addresses the core input validation issue by properly sanitizing the content parameter before it is processed by the modifyHTML function. Additionally, security teams should implement proper input validation measures at the application level, ensuring that all user-supplied content is properly escaped before being incorporated into web page output. The mitigation strategy should also include monitoring for suspicious activity related to the affected component and implementing web application firewalls to detect and block potential exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing security awareness training for administrators to ensure they understand the importance of timely patch management and the risks associated with running vulnerable software versions. The vulnerability's presence in a widely used wiki extension underscores the critical importance of maintaining current security patches and conducting regular vulnerability assessments to identify and remediate similar issues before they can be exploited by malicious actors.