CVE-2016-1229 in HumHub
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in HumHub 0.20.0-beta.1 through 0.20.1 and 1.0.0-beta before 1.0.0-beta.3 allows remote authenticated users to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/22/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-1229 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the HumHub social networking platform, affecting versions ranging from 0.20.0-beta.1 through 0.20.1 and 1.0.0-beta prior to 1.0.0-beta.3. This vulnerability operates as a server-side input validation weakness that permits authenticated attackers to inject malicious web scripts or HTML content into the application's response. The flaw stems from insufficient sanitization of user-provided input data, creating an environment where malicious payloads can be executed within the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability's classification as a persistent XSS issue means that the malicious code can be stored on the server and subsequently executed whenever affected users access the compromised content, making it particularly dangerous for collaborative platforms where user-generated content is prevalent.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through unspecified vectors that likely involve user profile fields, content posting mechanisms, or administrative configuration areas within the HumHub platform. Attackers can leverage their authenticated access to inject malicious scripts that execute in the browsers of other users who view the compromised content. This type of vulnerability typically falls under CWE-79, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws in software applications. The attack vector represents a significant security weakness in the platform's data handling and output encoding mechanisms, as it fails to properly sanitize or escape user input before rendering it within web pages. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple script execution, as it can potentially enable session hijacking, credential theft, or the redirection of users to malicious websites, making it a serious concern for organizations relying on the platform for collaborative communication.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-1229 is substantial for organizations utilizing affected HumHub versions, as it provides attackers with a means to compromise user sessions and potentially escalate privileges within the platform. The vulnerability's persistence characteristic allows attackers to maintain access to compromised systems over extended periods, as the malicious payloads remain stored within the platform's database. This type of vulnerability can be particularly damaging in enterprise environments where HumHub serves as a collaboration platform for sensitive business communications, document sharing, and internal project management. The attack pattern aligns with ATT&CK technique T1531, which involves the use of malicious scripts to compromise systems, and demonstrates how authenticated access can be leveraged to create persistent threats within web applications. Organizations may experience data breaches, unauthorized access to sensitive information, and potential regulatory compliance violations depending on the nature of the data handled within their HumHub instances.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate remediation through the application of the vendor-provided security patches and updates available for HumHub versions 1.0.0-beta.3 and later. System administrators should implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms to prevent the execution of malicious scripts within the application's user interface. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide additional protection against script execution, while regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities within the platform. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring for suspicious user activity patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions and implementing proper access controls, as the issue was resolved in subsequent releases through enhanced input sanitization and improved security measures. Security teams should prioritize the immediate patching of affected systems and conduct thorough reviews of user access permissions to minimize the potential impact of similar vulnerabilities within their infrastructure.