CVE-2004-0271 in MaxWebPortal
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting vulnerabilities (XSS) in MaxWebPortal allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary web script as other users via (1) the sub_name parameter of dl_showall.asp, (2) the SendTo parameter in Personal Messages, (3) the HTTP_REFERER for down.asp, or (4) the image name of an Avatar in the register form.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/30/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2004-0271 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the MaxWebPortal web application that exposes users to significant security risks. This vulnerability exists across multiple entry points within the application's codebase, making it particularly dangerous as attackers can exploit different vectors to compromise user sessions and execute malicious scripts. The affected components include the dl_showall.asp page, personal messaging functionality, down.asp script handling, and avatar registration features, demonstrating a widespread weakness in input validation and output sanitization practices.
The technical flaw stems from inadequate validation of user-supplied input across various parameters within the MaxWebPortal application. When the sub_name parameter in dl_showall.asp receives unfiltered input, or when the SendTo parameter in personal messages fails to properly sanitize data, malicious scripts can be injected and executed within the context of other users' browsers. Similarly, the HTTP_REFERER handling in down.asp and avatar image name fields in registration forms all suffer from insufficient input filtering mechanisms. These vulnerabilities directly map to CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting weaknesses in web applications, where improper validation of input data allows attackers to inject malicious scripts that execute in the victim's browser context.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it enables attackers to perform session hijacking, steal sensitive user information, and potentially gain unauthorized access to user accounts. Remote attackers can craft malicious payloads that, when executed by unsuspecting users, could redirect them to phishing sites, steal cookies and session tokens, or even modify user data within the portal. The attack surface is particularly broad given that these vulnerabilities exist in core functionality including file downloads, messaging systems, and user registration processes. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where users trust the portal for sensitive communications and data handling.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding across all user-facing parameters. The application should employ strict validation of all input fields using allowlists of acceptable characters and lengths, while also implementing proper HTML encoding for all output data. Security measures must include the implementation of Content Security Policy headers to prevent script execution, regular security code reviews to identify similar input validation gaps, and the adoption of secure coding practices that follow OWASP Top Ten guidelines. Additionally, the application should implement proper session management with secure cookie attributes and consider implementing rate limiting to prevent automated exploitation attempts. These measures align with ATT&CK technique T1566 which covers credential access through social engineering and malicious code injection, emphasizing the need for robust input validation as a primary defense mechanism against such attacks.