CVE-2016-2511 in WebSVN
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in WebSVN 2.3.3 and earlier allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the path parameter to log.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/09/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-2511 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within WebSVN version 2.3.3 and earlier installations. This issue resides in the log.php script which fails to properly sanitize user input received through the path parameter, creating an exploitable condition that enables malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of affected user browsers. The vulnerability specifically affects the web-based version control system WebSVN, which is commonly used for browsing and managing source code repositories through web interfaces.
The technical nature of this flaw aligns with CWE-79, which categorizes cross-site scripting vulnerabilities as weaknesses in web applications where untrusted data is directly included in generated HTML without proper validation or encoding. The vulnerability occurs because the log.php script does not implement adequate input sanitization or output encoding mechanisms when processing the path parameter. Attackers can exploit this by crafting malicious URLs containing script tags or other HTML content within the path parameter, which then gets executed when the vulnerable page renders the user-provided input. This allows for session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious websites through the exploitation of the XSS vector.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-2511 extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to perform a variety of malicious activities within the context of authenticated users. When users access the vulnerable log.php page with malicious input, the injected scripts execute in their browser, potentially allowing attackers to steal session cookies, modify page content, redirect users to phishing sites, or perform actions on behalf of the victim. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in environments where WebSVN is used for collaborative development, as it can compromise the integrity of the source code management system and potentially lead to unauthorized access to sensitive repository information. This XSS vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566, which covers social engineering through malicious web content.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate action including upgrading to WebSVN versions 2.3.4 or later where the XSS flaw has been patched through proper input validation and output encoding. Organizations should also implement comprehensive input validation measures that sanitize all user-supplied data before processing, particularly parameters used in dynamic content generation. The implementation of Content Security Policy (CSP) headers can provide additional defense-in-depth protection by restricting the sources from which scripts can be loaded. Regular security audits of web applications should include thorough testing for XSS vulnerabilities using automated tools combined with manual penetration testing to identify similar input validation weaknesses. Additionally, implementing proper output encoding mechanisms for all dynamic content ensures that any potentially malicious input is rendered harmless when displayed in web pages, which directly addresses the root cause of the vulnerability described in CVE-2016-2511.