CVE-2016-9889 in Wiki CMS
Summary
by MITRE
Some forms with the parameter geo_zoomlevel_to_found_location in Tiki Wiki CMS 12.x before 12.10 LTS, 15.x before 15.3 LTS, and 16.x before 16.1 don't have the input sanitized, related to tiki-setup.php and article_image.php. The impact is XSS.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/12/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-9889 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in Tiki Wiki CMS platforms, affecting versions prior to specific LTS releases. This vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation within the geo_zoomlevel_to_found_location parameter, which is processed through tiki-setup.php and article_image.php scripts. The flaw allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary JavaScript code into web pages viewed by other users, creating a persistent security risk that can compromise user sessions and data integrity.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves parameter manipulation within the web application's geolocation functionality. When users interact with forms containing the geo_zoomlevel_to_found_location parameter, the application fails to properly sanitize or escape user-supplied input before rendering it in web responses. This creates an environment where attackers can inject malicious scripts that execute in the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability specifically impacts the Tiki Wiki CMS platform's content management capabilities, particularly when handling geographical data and image display features.
From an operational perspective, this XSS vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations relying on Tiki Wiki CMS for collaborative content management and documentation systems. Attackers can exploit this flaw to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious websites, deface content management interfaces, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. The impact extends beyond simple data theft to potentially enabling complete compromise of user accounts and access to sensitive organizational information stored within the CMS. This vulnerability particularly affects environments where multiple users interact with geolocation-based content and image management features.
Security mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-9889 should focus on immediate patching of affected Tiki Wiki CMS versions to the recommended LTS releases. Organizations must implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms to prevent similar vulnerabilities in the future. The fix should include proper sanitization of all user-supplied parameters, particularly those used in dynamic content generation. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to technique T1566, specifically targeting credential access through malicious input injection, and T1583, representing the development of capabilities for exploitation. Organizations should also implement web application firewalls and content security policies as additional defensive measures to protect against similar injection-based attacks.