CVE-2017-12979 in DokuWiki
Summary
by MITRE
DokuWiki through 2017-02-19c has stored XSS when rendering a malicious language name in a code element, in /inc/parser/xhtml.php. An attacker can create or edit a wiki with this element to trigger JavaScript execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/16/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-12979 represents a significant stored cross-site scripting flaw within DokuWiki version 2017-02-19c and earlier. This vulnerability exists in the XHTML parser component of the wiki system, specifically within the /inc/parser/xhtml.php file where malicious language names are processed within code elements. The flaw allows attackers to inject and execute arbitrary JavaScript code through the wiki's rendering engine, creating a persistent security risk that affects all users who view the compromised content. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which categorizes cross-site scripting flaws as a result of improper input validation and output encoding.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker creates or modifies wiki pages containing maliciously crafted language names within code blocks. When the DokuWiki system renders these pages through the vulnerable XHTML parser, the malicious JavaScript code embedded within the language name is executed in the context of other users' browsers who view the affected pages. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it leverages the wiki's legitimate parsing functionality to deliver malicious payloads, making it difficult to distinguish between legitimate and malicious content. The attack vector requires no special privileges beyond normal wiki editing permissions, making it accessible to any authenticated user who can modify wiki content.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-12979 extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities including session hijacking, data exfiltration, and privilege escalation within the wiki environment. The stored nature of the vulnerability means that once a malicious page is created, it continues to affect users indefinitely until the content is removed or the vulnerability is patched. This persistent threat can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive wiki information, modification of critical documentation, and potential compromise of the entire wiki infrastructure. The vulnerability directly maps to attack techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1059.007 sub-technique for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript" and T1566 for "Phishing" as attackers can use this vulnerability to deliver malicious payloads to unsuspecting users.
Organizations utilizing DokuWiki systems should immediately implement the vendor-provided patch for CVE-2017-12979 and conduct thorough security reviews of all wiki content to identify and remove any previously compromised pages. System administrators should also implement additional security measures including input validation for code elements, regular security scanning of wiki content, and user access controls to limit editing privileges to trusted individuals only. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper output encoding in web applications and highlights the necessity of implementing defense-in-depth strategies that include content security policies and regular security assessments. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious payloads attempting to exploit similar vulnerabilities in their wiki systems.