CVE-2004-0663 in PowerPortal
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in modules.php in PowerPortal 1.x allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary script or HTML via the (1) id parameter to the (a) private_messages module; (2) search parameter to the (b) links and (c) content modules; and (3) files parameter to the gallery module.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/23/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2004-0663 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within PowerPortal 1.x software, specifically affecting the modules.php script that handles various module functionalities. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly filter user-supplied data before incorporating it into dynamic web page content. The flaw exists across multiple modules including private_messages, links, content, and gallery, demonstrating a systemic weakness in the application's security architecture that affects core functionality rather than isolated components.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute malicious scripts within the context of other users' browsers through carefully crafted input parameters. When the id parameter is passed to the private_messages module, or when search parameters are submitted to the links and content modules, or when files parameters are processed by the gallery module, the application fails to sanitize these inputs properly. This creates opportunities for attackers to inject malicious javascript code, html tags, or other harmful content that gets executed when legitimate users view the affected pages. The vulnerability is classified as a classic reflected cross-site scripting attack where malicious input is immediately reflected back to the user without proper encoding or validation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as it enables attackers to potentially hijack user sessions, steal sensitive information, or redirect users to malicious websites. Users interacting with the affected PowerPortal application could unknowingly execute scripts that compromise their browser security, potentially leading to complete account takeover scenarios. The widespread nature of the vulnerability across multiple modules increases the attack surface significantly, making it an attractive target for automated exploitation. This type of vulnerability directly violates security principles outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and specifically relates to CWE-79 which describes improper neutralization of input during web page generation, representing one of the most common and dangerous web application security flaws.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms across all user-supplied parameters. The recommended approach includes sanitizing all input data using allow-list validation techniques, implementing proper HTML entity encoding for dynamic content, and employing Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and regularly updating their security monitoring systems to detect and prevent exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following secure coding practices and adheres to ATT&CK technique T1203 which involves exploiting vulnerabilities in web applications through injection attacks, making it essential for security teams to prioritize patch management and input validation improvements in their defensive strategies.