1. Introduction
The UseModWiki wiki.pl script has a cross-site scripting vulnerability. This means an attacker could inject malicious code into web pages viewed by other users, potentially stealing their cookies and gaining unauthorised access. Systems running UseModWiki are usually affected. A successful exploit may compromise the confidentiality of user session data.
2. Technical Explanation
- Root cause: Insufficient input validation in the ‘wiki.pl’ script allows arbitrary HTML and JavaScript code to be included in web pages.
- Exploit mechanism: An attacker crafts a URL containing a malicious script, such as , and sends it to a victim. When the victim visits the URL, the script executes within their browser context.
- Scope: UseModWiki versions prior to an unspecified patch are known to be affected.
3. Detection and Assessment
You can confirm vulnerability by checking the version of UseModWiki installed or attempting a simple XSS payload.
- Quick checks: Check for the presence of the wiki.pl script in your web server’s CGI directory.
- Scanning: Nessus plugin ID 16839 may detect this vulnerability, but results should be verified manually.
- Logs and evidence: Examine web server logs for requests containing suspicious characters or HTML tags within URL parameters passed to wiki.pl.
# Example command placeholder:
# No specific command available without knowing the UseModWiki installation path. Check file existence in CGI directory.
find /path/to/cgi-bin -name "wiki.pl"
4. Solution / Remediation Steps
Currently, there is no known solution for this vulnerability at this time.
4.1 Preparation
- Ensure you have a rollback plan in place, such as restoring from backup. A change window may be required depending on your environment and approval process.
4.2 Implementation
- Step 1: Monitor the BugTraq mailing list for updates or a patch release from the UseModWiki project.
- Step 2: Once a patch is available, download and apply it according to the vendor’s instructions.
4.3 Config or Code Example
No config or code example can be provided as there is no known fix at this time.
4.4 Security Practices Relevant to This Vulnerability
Input validation and secure coding practices are relevant to preventing this issue.
- Practice 2: Use output encoding to prevent injected scripts from being executed in the browser.
4.5 Automation (Optional)
No automation is possible at this time as there is no known fix.
5. Verification / Validation
- Post-fix check: No specific output expected; attempts to inject XSS should be blocked or harmlessly encoded.
- Re-test: Re-run the earlier detection method (attempting an XSS payload) and confirm that it no longer works.
# Example command placeholder:
# No specific command available without knowing the UseModWiki installation path. Attempt XSS payload in a test page and verify it does not execute.
6. Preventive Measures and Monitoring
Regular security baselines, input validation checks during development, and patch management are relevant to this vulnerability type.
- Baselines: Update your web server security baseline to include requirements for input validation and output encoding.
- Pipelines: Integrate Static Application Security Testing (SAST) tools into your CI/CD pipeline to identify potential XSS vulnerabilities during development.
- Asset and patch process: Implement a regular patch review cycle to ensure timely application of security updates.
7. Risks, Side Effects, and Roll Back
Applying a patch may introduce compatibility issues with existing customizations or integrations.
- Risk or side effect 2: Downtime may be required during the patching process.
8. References and Resources
Links to official advisories and trusted documentation for this vulnerability.
- Vendor advisory or bulletin: http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=110305173302388&w=2
- NVD or CVE entry: CVE-2004-1397