CVE-2018-20212 in Twiki
Summary
by MITRE
bin/statistics in TWiki 6.0.2 allows cross-site scripting (XSS) via the webs parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/03/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-20212 affects TWiki version 6.0.2 and specifically targets the bin/statistics script which processes the webs parameter. This represents a classic cross-site scripting vulnerability that allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary javascript code into web applications. The flaw exists in the input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the statistics module, where user-supplied data from the webs parameter is not properly sanitized before being rendered in web pages. This vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which defines cross-site scripting as a weakness where untrusted data is sent to a web browser without proper validation or encoding, making it susceptible to execution of malicious scripts. The attack vector specifically leverages the webs parameter which is likely used to specify which web pages or topics should be included in statistical reports.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it enables attackers to execute malicious scripts within the context of authenticated users' browsers. An attacker could craft a malicious URL containing crafted javascript payload in the webs parameter that would execute when victims navigate to the statistics page. This could lead to session hijacking, data exfiltration, or redirection to malicious sites. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in environments where TWiki is used for collaborative workspaces as it could allow attackers to access sensitive information or manipulate statistical data. The XSS attack could be delivered through various means including phishing emails, compromised web pages, or social engineering campaigns that direct users to malicious URLs containing the crafted payload.
Security practitioners should implement multiple layers of defense to mitigate this vulnerability. The primary remediation involves proper input validation and output encoding of all user-supplied parameters including the webs parameter in the bin/statistics script. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 which describes techniques for gaining access through exploitation of vulnerabilities in web applications. Organizations should also implement content security policies to prevent execution of unauthorized scripts and ensure that all TWiki installations are updated to versions that contain the patched code. The fix typically involves sanitizing the webs parameter input by removing or encoding special characters that could be interpreted as html or javascript. Additionally, regular security testing including dynamic application security testing and manual code review should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the TWiki application. Network monitoring and web application firewalls can also provide additional detection capabilities for suspicious traffic patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts.