CVE-2003-0341 in Intranet Engine
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Owl Intranet Engine 0.71 and earlier allows remote attackers to insert arbitrary script via the Search field.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/18/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2003-0341 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the Owl Intranet Engine version 0.71 and earlier systems. This security weakness resides in the application's handling of user input through the Search field functionality, creating an exploitable condition that enables remote attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users. The vulnerability specifically targets the input validation mechanisms that should normally sanitize user-provided data before it is processed or displayed within the application's interface.
This type of vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-79, which defines cross-site scripting as a weakness where untrusted data is sent to a web browser without proper validation or sanitization. The flaw operates by allowing attackers to submit specially crafted payloads through the Search field that, when processed by the application, get executed in the context of other users' browsers. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it leverages the trust relationship between the web application and its users, enabling the execution of malicious code in the victim's browser session.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can lead to session hijacking, credential theft, data exfiltration, and potential privilege escalation within the intranet environment. Attackers can craft malicious search queries that, when clicked by other users, execute scripts that steal cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or modify content displayed to authenticated users. In an intranet context where sensitive corporate data is typically accessed, this vulnerability creates a significant risk for organizations as it can compromise the confidentiality and integrity of internal communications and data access.
The exploitation of this vulnerability requires minimal technical skill and can be accomplished through standard web application penetration testing techniques. The attack typically involves crafting a search query containing malicious javascript code that gets stored or reflected in the application's response. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where the Owl Intranet Engine may be used for internal collaboration, document management, and employee communications, as it can be used to target multiple users simultaneously through a single malicious input. Organizations should implement proper input sanitization, output encoding, and security headers to prevent such vulnerabilities from being exploited in real-world scenarios.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include implementing comprehensive input validation that filters or escapes special characters in user-provided data, particularly in search fields. The application should employ proper output encoding techniques to ensure that any user-supplied content is rendered safely in web contexts. Organizations should also consider implementing content security policies and using web application firewalls to detect and prevent malicious input patterns. Regular security updates and patch management processes are essential to address such vulnerabilities in legacy systems, while application developers should follow secure coding practices that align with industry standards such as the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity guidelines to prevent similar issues in future development cycles.