CVE-2020-16131:Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) Vulnerability in Tiki Wiki CMS Groupware

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Tiki Wiki CMS Groupware versions prior to 21.2 are vulnerable to Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) attacks due to improper input validation in the PreventXss.php filter. The vulnerability exists because certain character sequences ([\\s\\/\"\\']) are not properly filtered in the lib/core/TikiFilter/PreventXss.php file, allowing attackers to inject malicious scripts that can be executed in users' browsers.

Overview

This vulnerability (CVE-2020-16131) is a Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) issue affecting Tiki Wiki CMS Groupware before version 21.2. The root cause is an incomplete filtering mechanism in the PreventXss.php file which fails to properly sanitize certain character sequences including spaces, slashes, and quotes. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability to inject malicious JavaScript code that would execute in the context of a victim's browser session, potentially leading to cookie theft, session hijacking, or other client-side attacks. This vulnerability is classified as CWE-79 (Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation).

Remediation

To address this vulnerability, users should upgrade to Tiki Wiki CMS Groupware version 21.2 or later, which contains the security patch that properly handles the problematic character sequences. If immediate upgrading is not possible, administrators should consider implementing additional security layers such as:

  • Configuring a Web Application Firewall (WAF) to filter malicious inputs
  • Implementing Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to mitigate the impact of XSS attacks
  • Limiting user input in affected areas of the application until the upgrade can be completed
  • Regularly monitoring application logs for suspicious activity

References

  1. Patch commit: https://gitlab.com/tikiwiki/tiki/-/commit/d12d6ea7b025d3b3f81c8a71063fe9f89e0c4bf1
  2. Vendor advisory: https://tiki.org/News
  3. CWE-79: https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/79.html
  4. OWASP XSS Prevention Cheat Sheet: https://cheatsheetseries.owasp.org/cheatsheets/Cross_Site_Scripting_Prevention_Cheat_Sheet.html

Industry ExposureMost to least
This section illustrates the prevalence of a specific Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) across various industries based on customer reports. The ranking displays industries from the most to least affected by this particular vulnerability, offering valuable insight into where this CVE has been most frequently observed. This information can help organizations within these sectors prioritize their security efforts, understand their relative risk exposure compared to their peers, and focus remediation strategies where they are most needed. By understanding the industry-specific impact, organizations can make more informed decisions regarding patching, resource allocation, and overall risk management related to this CVE.

  1. Accommodation & Food Services
    Accommodation & Food Services
  2. Administrative, Support, Waste Management & Remediation Services
    Administrative, Support, Waste Management & Remediation Services
  3. Agriculture, Forestry Fishing & Hunting
    Agriculture, Forestry Fishing & Hunting
  4. Arts, Entertainment & Recreation
    Arts, Entertainment & Recreation
  5. Construction
    Construction
  6. Educational Services
    Educational Services
  7. Finance and Insurance
    Finance and Insurance
  8. Health Care & Social Assistance
    Health Care & Social Assistance
  9. Information
    Information
  10. Management of Companies & Enterprises
    Management of Companies & Enterprises
  11. Manufacturing
    Manufacturing
  12. Mining
    Mining
  13. Other Services (except Public Administration)
    Other Services (except Public Administration)
  14. Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services
    Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services
  15. Public Administration
    Public Administration
  16. Real Estate Rental & Leasing
    Real Estate Rental & Leasing
  17. Retail Trade
    Retail Trade
  18. Transportation & Warehousing
    Transportation & Warehousing
  19. Utilities
    Utilities
  20. Wholesale Trade
    Wholesale Trade

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Armis Vulnerability Intelligence Database