CVE-2004-0781 in Web Server
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in list.cgi in the Icecast internal web server (icecast-server) 1.3.12 and earlier allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script via the UserAgent parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/30/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-0781 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Icecast media streaming server software version 1.3.12 and earlier. This issue resides in the list.cgi script which serves as part of the internal web server functionality that Icecast employs to provide administrative and monitoring capabilities. The vulnerability specifically targets the UserAgent parameter handling mechanism, which is a standard HTTP header field used by web browsers to identify themselves to web servers. When an attacker crafts a malicious UserAgent string containing executable script code, the vulnerable Icecast server fails to properly sanitize this input before incorporating it into web responses, thereby creating an avenue for malicious code execution within the context of unsuspecting users' browsers.
This cross-site scripting vulnerability operates under the Common Weakness Enumeration classification of CWE-79, which specifically addresses "Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting')". The flaw enables attackers to inject malicious scripts that execute in the victim's browser when they access the affected Icecast server's web interface or monitoring pages. The attack vector is particularly insidious because it leverages the legitimate UserAgent header that web clients automatically send, making the malicious injection appear to originate from a trusted source. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple script injection as it can be exploited to perform session hijacking, steal cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or even execute arbitrary commands on the victim's system if combined with other exploitation techniques.
The operational implications of this vulnerability are severe for organizations utilizing Icecast 1.3.12 or earlier versions in their media streaming infrastructure. Given that Icecast servers often serve as public-facing components in media broadcasting and streaming environments, attackers can exploit this weakness to compromise the security of users accessing the server's administrative interfaces. The vulnerability affects not only the server's internal web management capabilities but also potentially exposes sensitive streaming data, user information, and administrative controls to unauthorized access. Organizations running these older versions face significant risk of unauthorized access to their streaming services and potential data breaches, particularly in environments where the Icecast server is exposed to untrusted networks or where administrative interfaces are accessible without proper authentication.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2004-0781 primarily focus on immediate software updates and input validation implementations. The most effective solution involves upgrading to Icecast server versions 1.3.13 and later, where the vulnerability has been addressed through proper input sanitization of the UserAgent parameter. Organizations should also implement comprehensive input validation mechanisms that filter and sanitize all user-supplied data before processing, particularly for HTTP headers that are commonly used in web applications. Network-level defenses such as web application firewalls can provide additional protection by monitoring for suspicious UserAgent strings and blocking known malicious patterns. Security practitioners should also consider implementing proper access controls and authentication mechanisms to limit exposure of the vulnerable administrative interfaces, while monitoring logs for suspicious activity related to UserAgent header manipulation. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of keeping legacy software updated and implementing robust input validation practices as outlined in the ATT&CK framework's mitigation strategies for web application vulnerabilities.