Doxygen templates/html/search_opensearch.php Cross-Site Scripting Vulnerability [CVE-2016-10245]

CVE Number – CVE-2016-10245

A vulnerability in Doxygen could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to conduct a cross-site scripting (XSS) attack on a targeted system.

The vulnerability is due to insufficient sanitization of the query parameter in the templates/html/search_opensearch.php code of the affected software. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by persuading a user to access a link that submits malicious input to the system. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary script or HTML code in the context of the affected site and access sensitive browser-based information. Doxygen has confirmed the vulnerability and released software updates.

Analysis

• To exploit this vulnerability, the attacker may use misleading language or instructions to persuade a user to access a link that submits malicious input to the targeted system.

Safeguards

• Administrators are advised to apply the appropriate updates.
  
  Administrators are advised to allow only trusted users to have network access.
  
  Administrators are advised to use an unprivileged account when browsing the Internet.
  
  Administrators are advised to monitor critical systems.
  
  Users are advised not to open email messages from suspicious or unrecognized sources. If users cannot verify that links or attachments included in email messages are safe, they are advised not to open them.
  
  Users are advised not to visit websites or follow links that have suspicious characteristics or cannot be verified as safe.

Vendor Announcements

• Doxygen has released a git commit at the following link: commit 1cc1adad2de03a0f013881b8960daf89aa155081#diff-f86a5e5f1346c6c43383c17e6e728ca8

Fixed Software

• Doxygen has released software updates at the following link: Doxygen 1.8.12