CVE-2003-1199 in Myproxy
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in MyProxy 20030629 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the URL.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/30/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2003-1199 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the MyProxy 20030629 web application framework. This security weakness manifests in the application's improper handling of user-supplied input within URL parameters, creating an avenue for malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability specifically affects the proxy server component that processes web requests and responses, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users trust the proxy server to mediate their internet access. The flaw exists at the application layer where input validation mechanisms fail to adequately sanitize or escape user-provided data before it is rendered back to end users through web interfaces.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious URL containing script code within its parameters and delivers it to a victim who is using the vulnerable MyProxy instance. When the victim clicks on the malicious link or the proxy processes the request containing the crafted input, the malicious script executes within the victim's browser context, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or unauthorized actions performed on behalf of the victim. The vulnerability stems from the application's lack of proper input sanitization and output encoding mechanisms, which are fundamental security controls that should prevent such injection attacks. This issue aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting vulnerabilities where applications fail to properly validate or encode user input before rendering it in web pages.
The operational impact of CVE-2003-1199 extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable sophisticated attacks within the context of web browsing sessions. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to steal session cookies, modify web page content, redirect users to malicious sites, or perform actions that appear to originate from the legitimate proxy server. The proxy server environment makes this particularly dangerous because users trust the proxy to provide secure access to web resources, and the vulnerability undermines that trust by allowing malicious code execution in the context of legitimate browsing sessions. In corporate or institutional environments where MyProxy is used for web filtering or access control, this vulnerability could be exploited to bypass security controls or gain unauthorized access to sensitive information. The attack vector is particularly insidious because it requires minimal user interaction beyond visiting a malicious URL, making it an effective tool for widespread exploitation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2003-1199 must address both immediate remediation and long-term security improvements within the MyProxy application. The primary solution involves implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms that properly sanitize all user-supplied data before it is processed or displayed. This includes applying strict validation rules for URL parameters and ensuring that all dynamic content is properly escaped before being rendered in web responses. Organizations should also implement proper security headers including Content Security Policy to limit script execution capabilities within the browser context. The remediation efforts should follow established security frameworks and best practices such as those outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly focusing on defensive techniques against web application attacks. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the proxy infrastructure, as this type of input validation failure often indicates broader security weaknesses that may affect other parts of the application. Additionally, network-level protections such as web application firewalls can provide additional defense-in-depth measures to detect and block malicious payloads attempting to exploit this vulnerability.