CVE-2016-15010 in django-ucamlookup
Summary
by MITRE • 01/09/2023
** UNSUPPPORTED WHEN ASSIGNED **** UNSUPPORTED WHEN ASSIGNED ** A vulnerability classified as problematic was found in University of Cambridge django-ucamlookup up to 1.9.1. Affected by this vulnerability is an unknown functionality of the component Lookup Handler. The manipulation leads to cross site scripting. The attack can be launched remotely. Upgrading to version 1.9.2 is able to address this issue. The name of the patch is 5e25e4765637ea4b9e0bf5fcd5e9a922abee7eb3. It is recommended to upgrade the affected component. The identifier VDB-217441 was assigned to this vulnerability. NOTE: This vulnerability only affects products that are no longer supported by the maintainer.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/28/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-15010 represents a cross site scripting flaw within the django-ucamlookup library developed by the University of Cambridge. This security issue was classified as problematic and affected versions of the library up to 1.9.1, specifically targeting the Lookup Handler component. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the affected functionality, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject arbitrary web scripts into web applications that utilize this library. The flaw manifests when user-supplied data is not properly sanitized before being rendered in web pages, allowing attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of the victim's browser session.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross site scripting flaws in software applications. This weakness occurs when an application incorporates untrusted data into web pages without proper validation or encoding, enabling attackers to manipulate the application's behavior and potentially access sensitive user information. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be exploited through remote attack vectors, meaning that malicious actors do not require physical access to the system or local network privileges to carry out the attack. The attack surface is broad as any application utilizing the vulnerable django-ucamlookup library could become compromised, making this a significant security risk for organizations relying on this component.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it could potentially enable attackers to steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of users, or redirect victims to malicious websites. The remote exploitation capability means that attackers could target users through various means including phishing emails, compromised websites, or social engineering campaigns that direct users to malicious URLs. Organizations using unsupported versions of this library face heightened risk since the vulnerability exists in code that is no longer receiving security updates or patches from the maintainers. This creates a persistent threat landscape where organizations remain exposed to potential exploitation without any official remediation path.
The recommended mitigation strategy involves upgrading to version 1.9.2 of the django-ucamlookup library, which contains the patch identified by the commit hash 5e25e4765637ea4b9e0bf5fcd5e9a922abee7eb3. This upgrade addresses the core input validation issues that enabled the cross site scripting attack vector. Organizations should also implement additional security measures including input sanitization, output encoding, and content security policies to provide defense in depth. The vulnerability's classification as unsupported when assigned indicates that the maintainers have discontinued support for affected versions, which underscores the importance of maintaining current software versions and implementing proper software lifecycle management practices. Security teams should conduct comprehensive assessments to identify all systems utilizing this library and ensure timely remediation to prevent potential exploitation.
The vulnerability serves as a critical reminder of the risks associated with using unsupported software components in production environments. When software maintainers discontinue support for older versions, organizations become vulnerable to known security flaws that may be exploited by threat actors. This situation particularly highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date software inventories and implementing automated vulnerability scanning processes that can identify deprecated components. The lack of official support for the affected versions means that organizations cannot rely on vendor-provided patches or security advisories, leaving them to develop their own mitigation strategies or accept the inherent risks. This vulnerability exemplifies why organizations should establish robust software governance policies that include regular security assessments, timely patch management, and proactive identification of unsupported software components within their infrastructure.