CVE-2016-9119 in MoinMoin
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the link dialogue in GUI editor in MoinMoin before 1.9.8 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/11/2022
The CVE-2016-9119 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the MoinMoin wiki software's graphical user interface editor. This vulnerability specifically affects the link dialogue functionality, which serves as a primary interface for users to create hyperlinks within wiki content. The vulnerability exists in MoinMoin versions prior to 1.9.8, making a significant portion of the user base susceptible to potential attacks. The flaw allows remote attackers to inject malicious web scripts or HTML code through unspecified vectors within the GUI editor's link creation process, fundamentally compromising the security of wiki environments that rely on user-generated content.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding within the GUI editor's link dialogue component. When users attempt to create or modify links through the graphical interface, the application fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input before rendering it within the web page context. This insufficient sanitization creates an opening for attackers to inject malicious payloads that execute in the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability manifests as a classic XSS attack vector where attacker-controlled content is interpreted as legitimate HTML or JavaScript code by web browsers, bypassing normal security restrictions. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability maps to CWE-79: Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, which specifically addresses the failure to properly encode or escape user input before incorporating it into web page output.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-9119 extends beyond simple script injection, potentially enabling attackers to perform session hijacking, deface wiki content, steal user credentials, or redirect victims to malicious websites. In wiki environments where multiple users collaborate and share sensitive information, this vulnerability could allow attackers to gain unauthorized access to confidential data or manipulate content to spread misinformation. The remote nature of the attack means that malicious actors do not require physical access to the system or network, making it particularly dangerous for publicly accessible wiki installations. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with T1059.007: Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript, as it enables the execution of malicious JavaScript code within user browser contexts, and T1566: Phishing, since attackers could leverage this vulnerability to create convincing phishing pages within the wiki environment.
Organizations utilizing MoinMoin wiki software should prioritize immediate remediation by upgrading to version 1.9.8 or later, which includes proper input validation and output encoding fixes. Additionally, administrators should implement comprehensive input sanitization at multiple layers including application-level validation, content security policies, and regular security audits. The mitigation strategy should also include user education regarding the risks of clicking suspicious links within wiki environments and implementing network-based security controls such as web application firewalls to detect and block malicious payloads. Regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in the wiki infrastructure and ensure that all components remain secure against evolving attack vectors.