CVE-2016-10245 in Doxygen
Summary
by MITRE
Insufficient sanitization of the query parameter in templates/html/search_opensearch.php could lead to reflected cross-site scripting or iframe injection.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/24/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-10245 represents a critical security flaw in the sanitization of user input within web application templates, specifically affecting the search_opensearch.php file. This issue stems from inadequate validation and sanitization of query parameters that are processed within HTML template contexts, creating a pathway for malicious actors to inject harmful content. The vulnerability manifests when user-supplied data enters the application through query parameters and is subsequently rendered without proper escaping or filtering mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this flaw occurs within the template processing system where the search_opensearch.php file fails to adequately sanitize input values before incorporating them into HTML output. When a user submits a search query containing malicious content, the application does not properly escape special characters or validate the input against known attack patterns. This insufficient sanitization creates an environment where reflected cross-site scripting attacks can occur, allowing attackers to inject malicious scripts that execute in the context of other users' browsers. Additionally, the vulnerability enables iframe injection attacks where malicious code can embed unauthorized content within the application's search results.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-10245 extends beyond simple script injection, as it can lead to comprehensive session hijacking, credential theft, and unauthorized access to sensitive user data. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious websites, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. The reflected nature of the vulnerability means that attacks can be delivered through links or search queries, making them particularly effective for social engineering campaigns. This vulnerability directly aligns with CWE-79, which categorizes cross-site scripting flaws as a critical weakness in web application security, and follows the ATT&CK technique T1059.005 for command and scripting interpreter, where attackers leverage XSS to execute malicious scripts in victim browsers.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application's template processing pipeline. The solution involves implementing comprehensive sanitization routines that escape special HTML characters, validate input against expected formats, and employ Content Security Policy headers to restrict script execution. Security teams should deploy web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious query parameters, while also implementing proper logging and monitoring to identify potential exploitation attempts. Regular security testing including dynamic application security testing and manual penetration testing should be conducted to verify the effectiveness of implemented controls. Organizations must also establish secure coding practices that emphasize input validation, output encoding, and proper template handling to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in future development cycles. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining robust security controls in web application frameworks, particularly when handling user input in template contexts where the risk of injection attacks remains high.