CVE-2024-51508 in Tiki
Summary
by MITRE • 10/29/2024
Tiki through 27.0 allows users who have certain permissions to insert a "Create/Edit External Wiki" stored XSS payload in the Index.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/02/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-51508 affects Tiki version 27.0 and earlier, representing a stored cross-site scripting flaw that enables authenticated users with specific permissions to inject malicious code into the system's index functionality. This issue stems from insufficient input validation and output sanitization within the "Create/Edit External Wiki" feature, which allows attackers to store malicious payloads that persist in the application's database. The vulnerability specifically targets users who possess certain administrative or content management permissions, making it particularly concerning for organizations where user access controls may not be strictly enforced. The stored nature of this XSS vulnerability means that once a malicious payload is inserted, it will execute automatically whenever users view the affected index page, potentially affecting all users who have access to that content.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the application failing to properly sanitize user input when processing external wiki creation or editing operations. When users with appropriate permissions submit content through the index interface, the system does not adequately filter or encode special characters that could be interpreted as HTML or JavaScript code. This allows attackers to inject malicious scripts that can execute in the context of other users' browsers. The flaw falls under CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting vulnerabilities, and more precisely aligns with CWE-116, which deals with improper encoding or escaping of output. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic stored XSS pattern where user-supplied data is stored in the database and subsequently rendered without proper sanitization, creating a persistent security risk that can affect multiple users over time.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-51508 extends beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with the capability to perform session hijacking, steal sensitive information, redirect users to malicious sites, or even escalate privileges within the application. The vulnerability can be exploited to create backdoors, modify content, or access restricted areas of the Tiki application. Given that this affects the index functionality, the potential reach of the attack is significant as the index page is often a central hub for user navigation and content access. Attackers could manipulate the index to redirect users to phishing sites or inject malicious code that could compromise user sessions and credentials. The persistence of stored XSS makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it does not require repeated exploitation attempts, and the malicious code will continue to execute until manually removed from the system. This type of vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566, which covers the use of malicious content to gain initial access or escalate privileges.
Organizations using affected versions of Tiki should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to the latest version where this vulnerability has been patched, implementing strict input validation for all user-supplied content, and applying proper output encoding techniques to prevent script execution. Network segmentation and monitoring should be enhanced to detect suspicious activities related to external wiki creation or modification. Security teams should also conduct thorough audits of user permissions to ensure that only trusted individuals have access to the affected functionality. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide additional protection against XSS attacks by restricting the sources from which scripts can be loaded. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components, particularly those involving user-generated content processing. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious payloads attempting to exploit this vulnerability.