CVE-2004-0731 in Stories_Archive Module
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in index.php in the Search module for Php-Nuke allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary script as other users via the input field.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/11/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-0731 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the Search module of Php-Nuke version 7.7 and earlier. This security weakness resides in the index.php file of the Search module, where user input is not properly sanitized before being processed and displayed within web pages. The vulnerability enables remote attackers to execute malicious scripts against unsuspecting users who view the affected web content, making it a significant concern for web application security. The flaw specifically targets the input field handling mechanism, allowing attackers to inject arbitrary script code that gets executed in the context of other users' browsers. This type of vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-79, which defines improper neutralization of input during web page generation as a fundamental weakness in web application security. The attack vector operates through the manipulation of user-supplied data that flows directly into the web response without adequate validation or sanitization.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to perform various malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, and data manipulation. When a victim visits a page containing the malicious script, the code executes in their browser with the privileges of their session, potentially allowing attackers to access sensitive information or perform unauthorized actions on behalf of the user. The vulnerability affects the entire Php-Nuke platform, as the Search module is a core component used by most installations, making it a widespread concern. The attack requires no special privileges beyond access to the web application's search functionality, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by anyone with basic web browsing capabilities. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation and output encoding in web applications, as it represents a failure to properly handle user-provided data before rendering it in web contexts.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2004-0731 must address both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements to prevent similar vulnerabilities. The most effective immediate solution involves implementing proper input sanitization and output encoding mechanisms within the Search module, ensuring that all user-supplied data is validated and escaped before being displayed in web pages. This approach aligns with the ATT&CK framework's defensive techniques for preventing cross-site scripting by focusing on input validation and output encoding as primary controls. Organizations should also implement Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution capabilities and reduce the impact of successful XSS attacks. Additionally, regular security audits and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities throughout the application codebase, as this vulnerability represents a pattern that commonly appears in legacy web applications. The remediation process should include updating the affected Php-Nuke installation to a patched version or implementing proper input validation mechanisms within the affected module. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of following secure coding practices and maintaining up-to-date security measures in web applications, particularly those with legacy codebases that may contain multiple instances of similar weaknesses.