CVE-2004-0875 in phpGroupWare
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in Phpgroupware (aka webdistro) 0.9.16.002 and earlier allow remote attackers to insert arbitrary HTML or web script, as demonstrated with a request to the wiki module.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/05/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-0875 represents a critical security flaw in Phpgroupware version 0.9.16.002 and earlier releases, specifically affecting the wiki module. This issue constitutes a multiple cross-site scripting vulnerability that enables remote attackers to inject malicious HTML or web script code into the application. The flaw arises from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the web application's processing pipeline, creating persistent entry points for malicious code execution. The vulnerability impacts the core functionality of the wiki module, which serves as a collaborative content management system where users can create, edit, and share web pages.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws in web applications. The flaw occurs when user-supplied input containing malicious scripts is not properly sanitized before being rendered back to other users through the wiki module interface. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting specially formatted requests that include HTML or JavaScript code within the wiki content fields. When other users access the compromised wiki pages, the malicious scripts execute in their browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or further exploitation. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic input validation failure where the application fails to properly escape or filter user-provided content before rendering it in the web interface.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data corruption or unauthorized access. Remote attackers can leverage these XSS flaws to manipulate the wiki content in ways that compromise user trust and application integrity. The attack surface is particularly concerning because wiki modules typically serve as collaborative spaces where multiple users contribute content, making it easier for malicious scripts to propagate through the user base. Successful exploitation could lead to complete session takeover, data exfiltration, or the redirection of users to malicious websites. The vulnerability is especially dangerous in enterprise environments where Phpgroupware might be used for internal documentation, knowledge sharing, or collaborative project management, as it could provide attackers with persistent access to sensitive organizational information.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application. Organizations should immediately upgrade to patched versions of Phpgroupware, as version 0.9.16.003 and later contain the necessary security fixes. The recommended approach includes implementing strict content sanitization for all user inputs, particularly in collaborative modules like wikis, and employing proper HTML escaping techniques before rendering any user-generated content. Additionally, implementing a Content Security Policy (CSP) can provide an additional layer of protection against XSS attacks by restricting the sources from which scripts can be loaded. Security teams should also consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring for suspicious input patterns that might indicate attempted exploitation of similar vulnerabilities. The remediation process should include thorough code reviews and security testing of all web application components to prevent similar issues from occurring in other modules or future development cycles.