CVE-2016-7394 in Wiki CMS Groupware
Summary
by MITRE
tiki wiki cms groupware <=15.2 has a xss vulnerability, allow attackers steal user's cookie.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/02/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-7394 affects Tiki Wiki CMS Groupware versions 15.2 and earlier, representing a cross-site scripting flaw that enables attackers to steal user session cookies. This issue resides within the web application's input validation mechanisms and demonstrates a critical weakness in the platform's security architecture. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the application fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input before rendering it in web pages, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject malicious scripts into the application's output. The flaw operates at the application layer and represents a classic XSS vulnerability that can be exploited through various attack vectors including web forms, URL parameters, or API endpoints where user input is processed and displayed without adequate sanitization.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript code within the context of a victim's browser session, enabling cookie theft and session hijacking. This occurs because the Tiki CMS platform does not implement proper output encoding or validation controls when processing user-provided content that gets rendered in web pages. The vulnerability can be classified under CWE-79 as "Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting')", which is a well-established weakness pattern in web application security. Attackers can craft malicious payloads that, when executed in a victim's browser, can capture session cookies and transmit them to attacker-controlled servers, thereby gaining unauthorized access to user accounts and potentially escalating privileges within the system. The attack typically involves embedding malicious script tags or event handlers within input fields that are then reflected back to users through the vulnerable application's response.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple cookie theft, as it provides attackers with persistent access to user accounts and potentially sensitive organizational data. Once an attacker successfully steals a session cookie, they can impersonate legitimate users and perform actions within the application as if they were the actual user, including accessing personal information, modifying content, or executing administrative functions depending on the user's privileges. This vulnerability affects the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the Tiki CMS platform, as it allows unauthorized access to user sessions and can potentially lead to complete system compromise if administrator accounts are targeted. The vulnerability can be exploited through various methods including phishing attacks, social engineering, or by embedding malicious payloads in web pages that users visit, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users may encounter untrusted content. The attack surface is broad since the vulnerability can be triggered through multiple input points within the CMS, including comments, user profiles, search functionality, and other areas where user input is processed and displayed.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-7394 require immediate implementation of proper input validation and output encoding controls within the Tiki CMS application. Organizations should upgrade to version 15.3 or later, which includes patches addressing this vulnerability, while also implementing additional security measures such as content security policies, proper input sanitization, and regular security audits. The implementation of CSP headers can provide an additional layer of protection against XSS attacks by restricting the sources from which scripts can be loaded and executed. Security controls should include regular monitoring for suspicious user activities, implementing secure coding practices for input validation, and ensuring that all user-supplied content is properly escaped before being rendered in web pages. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007 for 'Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript' and T1531 for 'Account Access Removal', as it enables attackers to gain unauthorized access to user accounts and potentially escalate privileges. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls, regular penetration testing, and security awareness training for users to reduce the risk of successful exploitation through social engineering techniques. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions and implementing robust security controls in web applications to prevent session hijacking and unauthorized access to user accounts.