CVE-2001-1351 in Namazu
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting vulnerability in Namazu 2.0.8 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary Javascript as other web users via the index file name that is displayed when displaying hit numbers.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/09/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2001-1351 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Namazu search engine software version 2.0.8 and earlier. This vulnerability resides in the application's handling of index file names during search result display operations, creating a persistent security weakness that enables remote attackers to inject malicious javascript code into web interfaces. The flaw specifically manifests when the system displays hit numbers alongside index file names, providing an attack vector for malicious actors to exploit user trust and execute unauthorized code within the context of other users' browsers.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output sanitization within the Namazu application's web interface components. When search results are displayed, the system fails to properly escape or filter special characters present in index file names, allowing attackers to inject javascript payloads that execute in the browser context of unsuspecting users. This weakness directly maps to CWE-79 which classifies Cross-Site Scripting vulnerabilities as a result of insufficient validation of input data or inadequate sanitization of output data. The vulnerability operates at the application layer where user-supplied data flows through the system without proper security controls, making it particularly dangerous as it leverages the trust relationship between the web application and its users.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it enables attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, data exfiltration, and redirection to malicious sites. Users who view search results containing the injected javascript code become unwitting participants in the attack, with their browser sessions potentially compromised. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means attackers can leverage this weakness from anywhere on the internet without requiring local access to the target system. This characteristic aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 which describes social engineering tactics that manipulate users into executing malicious code through web-based interfaces.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2001-1351 must address both immediate remediation and long-term security hardening measures. The primary solution involves upgrading to Namazu version 2.1.0 or later, where the vulnerability has been patched through proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms. Organizations should implement comprehensive input sanitization routines that escape special characters before displaying user-supplied data in web contexts, particularly in search result displays. Additionally, deploying web application firewalls and implementing content security policies can provide additional layers of protection against similar vulnerabilities. Regular security assessments and code reviews focusing on input validation and output encoding practices should be conducted to prevent similar issues from emerging in other applications. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of proper data sanitization in web applications and the potential consequences of inadequate security controls in user-facing interfaces.