CVE-2003-0404 in Content Suite
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple Cross Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in Vignette StoryServer 4 and 5, and Vignette V/5 and V/6, allow remote attackers to insert arbitrary HTML and script via text variables, as demonstrated using the errInfo parameter of the default login template.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/25/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2003-0404 represents a critical cross site scripting flaw affecting multiple versions of Vignette StoryServer and Vignette V/5 and V/6 content management systems. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross Site Scripting and specifically demonstrates how insufficient input validation and output encoding can create persistent security weaknesses in web applications. The flaw allows remote attackers to inject malicious HTML and script code through text variables, particularly exploiting the errInfo parameter within the default login template. This particular attack vector demonstrates the dangerous intersection of authentication flows and input sanitization failures, where even the login interface becomes a potential attack surface for executing malicious code against unsuspecting users.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the fundamental weakness in how these content management systems handle user-supplied input during authentication processes. When the errInfo parameter is manipulated through the login template, the application fails to properly sanitize or encode the input before rendering it back to the user's browser. This creates an environment where attackers can inject script code that executes in the context of other users' sessions, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or further exploitation of the compromised user accounts. The vulnerability specifically targets the authentication mechanism, which is a critical attack surface since successful exploitation could provide attackers with unauthorized access to the system and its resources.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it fundamentally undermines the security model of the affected applications. Users who encounter the maliciously crafted errInfo parameter during login attempts could unknowingly execute malicious scripts that persist in their browser sessions. This creates a persistent threat vector that can be exploited by attackers to maintain access, steal session cookies, or redirect users to malicious sites. The vulnerability affects versions 4 and 5 of StoryServer and V/5 and V/6 of Vignette applications, indicating a widespread issue that would impact numerous organizations relying on these content management platforms for their web presence and business operations. The attack requires minimal technical expertise, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by attackers with basic knowledge of web application security concepts.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application's codebase, particularly within authentication flows. Organizations should implement strict sanitization of all user-supplied input before rendering it in web pages, utilizing proper HTML encoding techniques to prevent script execution. The remediation process involves ensuring that the errInfo parameter and all other text variables are properly escaped or filtered to remove potentially dangerous characters and sequences. Security patches should be applied immediately to address the underlying code vulnerabilities in the Vignette applications, while also implementing web application firewalls to monitor and block suspicious input patterns. Additionally, organizations should conduct thorough security testing of authentication mechanisms and implement proper logging and monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts. This vulnerability serves as a critical reminder of the importance of secure coding practices and the necessity of validating all input within web applications, particularly in authentication and user interaction components that are frequently targeted by attackers. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under the T1059.007 technique for Scripting, emphasizing the need for robust input validation and output encoding to prevent code injection attacks that can compromise entire web applications and their user bases.