CVE-2018-12290 in Yii2-StateMachine
Summary
by MITRE
The Yii2-StateMachine extension v2.x.x for Yii2 has XSS.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/19/2020
The Yii2-StateMachine extension vulnerability CVE-2018-12290 represents a cross-site scripting flaw that specifically affects version 2.x.x of this popular Yii2 framework component. This extension facilitates state machine implementation within web applications built on the Yii2 framework, providing developers with tools to manage application workflows and transitions between different states. The vulnerability arises from insufficient input validation and output sanitization within the extension's codebase, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject arbitrary JavaScript code into web applications that utilize this component.
The technical implementation of this XSS vulnerability occurs when the extension processes user-supplied data without proper sanitization before rendering it within web pages. This flaw typically manifests in scenarios where the extension displays state names, transition labels, or other user-provided metadata in HTML contexts without appropriate escaping or encoding mechanisms. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious input containing script tags or other XSS payloads that get executed in the context of other users' browsers who view pages utilizing the vulnerable extension. The vulnerability falls under CWE-79 - Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, which specifically addresses the failure to sanitize user input before incorporating it into web page content.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to applications using the Yii2-StateMachine extension, particularly those handling sensitive workflow data or user interactions. An attacker who successfully exploits this XSS vulnerability can potentially steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, deface application interfaces, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that state machine extensions are commonly used in business process management, workflow automation, and administrative interfaces where users may have elevated privileges. The vulnerability can be leveraged as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks, potentially leading to complete application compromise or data exfiltration.
Security practitioners should immediately implement mitigation strategies including updating to patched versions of the Yii2-StateMachine extension, applying proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms, and conducting thorough code reviews of any custom implementations that interact with this component. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 - Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript, as it enables attackers to execute malicious JavaScript code within victim browsers. Organizations should also consider implementing Content Security Policy headers and regular security scanning of their web applications to detect similar vulnerabilities in other components. Additionally, developers should follow secure coding practices such as using proper HTML escaping functions and input validation libraries to prevent similar issues in future implementations. The incident underscores the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date dependencies and implementing comprehensive security testing procedures for all web application components, particularly those handling user input in web contexts.