CVE-2017-5934 in MoinMoin
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the link dialogue in GUI editor in MoinMoin before 1.9.10 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/25/2023
The CVE-2017-5934 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw discovered in the MoinMoin wiki software's graphical user interface editor. This vulnerability specifically affects the link dialogue component within the GUI editor, creating a pathway for remote attackers to execute malicious code through web scripts or HTML injection. The issue exists in MoinMoin versions prior to 1.9.10, indicating that organizations running older iterations of this collaborative platform face significant security risks. The vulnerability's classification as XSS aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting vulnerabilities where untrusted data is improperly integrated into web pages without proper validation or sanitization.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through unspecified vectors within the link dialogue functionality of the GUI editor. Attackers can leverage this weakness to inject malicious scripts or HTML content that will execute in the context of other users' browsers when they interact with the affected wiki pages. This type of vulnerability typically arises from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the web application's user interface components. The GUI editor's link dialogue serves as a privileged interface where users can modify page content, making it a particularly attractive target for attackers seeking persistent code execution within the wiki environment.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-5934 extends beyond simple script injection, potentially allowing attackers to perform session hijacking, steal user credentials, or redirect victims to malicious websites. Given that MoinMoin is commonly used for collaborative documentation and knowledge sharing, the compromise of a single wiki instance can lead to widespread information leakage and unauthorized access to sensitive organizational data. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers do not require physical access to the system or local network privileges to exploit it, making it particularly dangerous in environments where multiple users interact with shared wiki platforms. This weakness can be classified under ATT&CK technique T1566, which covers the use of malicious web content to gain initial access or execute malicious payloads.
Organizations should prioritize immediate remediation by upgrading to MoinMoin version 1.9.10 or later, which includes the necessary patches to address the XSS vulnerability in the GUI editor's link dialogue. Additional mitigations include implementing comprehensive input validation measures, deploying web application firewalls, and establishing proper output encoding for all user-generated content. Security teams should also conduct thorough vulnerability assessments of their wiki infrastructure to identify any other potential entry points or similar weaknesses in related components. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions and implementing robust security controls in collaborative environments where user-generated content processing occurs. Organizations utilizing MoinMoin should also consider implementing content security policies and regular security audits to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in other components of their web applications.