CVE-2001-1352 in Namazu
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting vulnerability in Namazu 2.0.9 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary Javascript as other web users via an error message that is returned when an invalid index file is specified in the idxname parameter.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/11/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2001-1352 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw affecting the Namazu search engine version 2.0.9 and earlier. This security weakness resides in how the application handles error messages when processing user input through the idxname parameter, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject and execute arbitrary javascript code within the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability specifically manifests when an invalid index file is specified, causing the system to return an error message that contains unescaped user input directly in the web response, thereby enabling persistent script execution across multiple user sessions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which categorizes cross-site scripting as a critical weakness involving the improper handling of untrusted data within web applications. When an attacker supplies malicious input through the idxname parameter, the Namazu application fails to properly sanitize or escape this data before incorporating it into error messages displayed to users. This failure creates a condition where javascript code embedded within the index name parameter gets executed in the browser context of legitimate users who encounter the error message. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and requires no special privileges to exploit, making it particularly dangerous as it can affect any user who views the malicious error page.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it enables attackers to perform various malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, data exfiltration, and redirection to malicious websites. An attacker could craft an idxname parameter containing javascript that steals cookies, redirects users to phishing sites, or modifies the content of web pages viewed by other users. This type of vulnerability fundamentally undermines the security model of web applications by allowing untrusted input to be interpreted as executable code, potentially leading to complete compromise of user sessions and unauthorized access to sensitive information. The widespread use of the Namazu search engine in web environments made this vulnerability particularly concerning as it could affect numerous websites and applications that relied on this software for search functionality.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2001-1352 should focus on implementing proper input validation and output sanitization techniques to prevent malicious data from being executed as code. Organizations should immediately upgrade to Namazu version 2.1.0 or later, which contains patches addressing this specific vulnerability. Additionally, administrators should implement proper parameter sanitization by escaping special characters in user input before displaying it in error messages, and should employ content security policies to limit script execution within web applications. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation and output encoding practices, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for scripting and T1566 for phishing, as attackers can leverage such flaws to deliver malicious payloads and manipulate user interactions. Regular security assessments and code reviews focusing on user input handling can help prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced into web applications, emphasizing the need for comprehensive secure coding practices throughout the software development lifecycle.