CVE-2004-0787 in OpenCA
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the web frontend in OpenCA 0.9.1-8 and earlier, and 0.9.2 RC6 and earlier, allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the form input fields.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/29/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2004-0787 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting the web frontend of OpenCA versions 0.9.1-8 and earlier, as well as 0.9.2 RC6 and earlier. This vulnerability resides within the input validation mechanisms of the certificate authority management system, where user-supplied data from form fields is not properly sanitized before being rendered back to users. The flaw enables malicious actors to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content into the application's user interface, creating a persistent security risk for all users interacting with the vulnerable system.
This vulnerability maps directly to CWE-79 which defines Cross-Site Scripting as a weakness where untrusted data is sent to a web browser without proper validation or encoding, allowing attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of other users' sessions. The specific nature of this flaw in OpenCA demonstrates how certificate management systems can become attack vectors when proper input sanitization practices are not implemented. The vulnerability affects the web-based administrative interface of OpenCA, which is commonly used for managing digital certificates and cryptographic operations within organizations.
The operational impact of CVE-2004-0787 extends beyond simple script injection, as it can be leveraged for session hijacking, credential theft, and data exfiltration. Attackers can craft malicious payloads that, when executed in a victim's browser, can steal session cookies, redirect users to phishing sites, or manipulate the certificate management workflow. Given that OpenCA systems are typically deployed in enterprise environments where certificate management is critical for secure communications, this vulnerability could compromise the entire PKI infrastructure. The attack vector requires minimal privileges as it operates through standard web form inputs, making it particularly dangerous in environments where administrative access is limited but web-based management is still possible.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate patching of OpenCA installations to versions that properly sanitize user input and implement proper output encoding for all web interface elements. Organizations should also implement input validation at multiple layers including client-side and server-side filters, employ Content Security Policy headers, and conduct regular security testing of web applications. The remediation approach aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 which covers the exploitation of vulnerabilities in web applications, specifically targeting the execution of malicious code through injection attacks. Additionally, implementing proper secure coding practices and regular security training for developers working with web applications can prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in future deployments.