CVE-2016-1236 in WebSVN
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in (1) revision.php, (2) log.php, (3) listing.php, and (4) comp.php in WebSVN allow context-dependent attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the name of a (a) file or (b) directory in a repository.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/16/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-1236 represents a critical cross-site scripting weakness affecting multiple files within the WebSVN web-based version control system. This issue manifests in four distinct script files including revision.php, log.php, listing.php, and comp.php, all of which process user-supplied input related to file and directory names within repositories. The vulnerability falls under the category of context-dependent attacks where malicious actors can inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content through the naming conventions of repository elements. This type of vulnerability directly violates the fundamental security principle of input validation and sanitization, creating a pathway for attackers to execute malicious code within the context of authenticated users' browsers.
The technical flaw resides in the improper handling of user-provided data within the WebSVN application's web interface. When users navigate through repository structures and view file or directory listings, the application fails to adequately sanitize or encode the names of these elements before rendering them in HTML output. This oversight creates a classic XSS vector where attacker-controlled input flows directly into the browser without proper context-aware escaping mechanisms. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects core navigation and logging functionality, meaning that any user with access to the WebSVN interface can potentially exploit this weakness. The attack surface is expanded by the fact that these files handle various types of repository metadata including revision history, file listings, and comparison operations, all of which can be manipulated through the name parameters.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-1236 extends beyond simple script injection, potentially enabling attackers to perform session hijacking, steal sensitive information, or redirect users to malicious websites. When a user accesses a compromised repository page, their browser executes the injected scripts within the context of the WebSVN application, which typically operates with the privileges of the authenticated user. This privilege escalation capability makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where WebSVN is used for sensitive code repositories or where users have elevated access rights. The vulnerability can be exploited to create persistent XSS attacks that remain active until the affected files are modified or the web server is restarted, providing attackers with extended access windows. From an attacker perspective, this vulnerability aligns with the attack pattern described in the ATT&CK framework under the technique of "Cross-Site Scripting" and can be leveraged to establish a foothold for further reconnaissance and exploitation activities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-1236 must focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms across all affected files. The most effective immediate solution involves sanitizing all user-provided data before rendering it in HTML contexts, particularly for file and directory names that appear in repository listings. This approach aligns with the CWE classification for cross-site scripting vulnerabilities and follows the principle of defense in depth. Organizations should implement proper HTML escaping for all dynamic content, ensuring that special characters such as angle brackets, quotes, and script tags are properly encoded. Additionally, the WebSVN application should be updated to a patched version that addresses these specific vulnerabilities, as the maintainers have likely released security updates to resolve the input handling issues. Regular security audits of web applications should include thorough testing of all dynamic content rendering paths to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in other components of the system.