CVE-2017-9145 in Wiki CMS Groupware
Summary
by MITRE
TikiFilter.php in Tiki Wiki CMS Groupware 12.x through 16.x does not properly validate the imgsize or lang parameter to prevent XSS.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/20/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-9145 affects Tiki Wiki CMS Groupware versions 12.x through 16.x and resides within the TikiFilter.php component. This issue represents a classic cross-site scripting vulnerability that arises from inadequate input validation mechanisms. The flaw specifically targets the imgsize and lang parameters, which are processed without proper sanitization or validation checks that would normally prevent malicious code injection attempts.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the failure to properly sanitize user-supplied input values passed to the imgsize and lang parameters within the TikiFilter.php file. When these parameters are manipulated by an attacker, they can inject malicious JavaScript code that executes in the context of other users' browsers. This occurs because the application does not adequately filter or escape special characters that could be interpreted as executable code by web browsers, creating an environment where arbitrary script execution becomes possible.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or session hijacking. Attackers can leverage this weakness to perform a wide range of malicious activities including but not limited to cookie theft, redirection to malicious sites, defacement of content management system interfaces, and potential privilege escalation within the CMS environment. The vulnerability affects all users of the affected Tiki Wiki versions, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by anyone with access to the vulnerable application's interface or API endpoints.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 Cross-site Scripting and maps directly to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript. The attack vector typically involves crafting malicious URLs containing encoded JavaScript payloads within the imgsize or lang parameters, which are then executed when legitimate users access the affected pages. Organizations using Tiki Wiki CMS Groupware versions in this vulnerable range face significant risk of unauthorized access and data compromise.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patch application to versions that address this validation flaw, along with implementing proper input sanitization mechanisms that filter and escape all user-supplied parameters. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious parameter values, and establish comprehensive monitoring for unusual access patterns or potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, regular security audits of CMS components and plugins should be conducted to identify similar validation weaknesses that could be exploited in similar fashion.