CVE-2004-1146 in Cvstrac
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in (1) main.c and (2) login.c for CVSTrac before 1.1.5 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary HTML and web script.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/30/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-1146 represents a critical security flaw in CVSTrac version 1.1.4 and earlier, specifically affecting two core components of the application. This issue manifests as multiple cross-site scripting vulnerabilities located in the main.c and login.c files, which collectively represent a significant risk to web application security. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms within these critical application modules, allowing malicious actors to exploit the system through carefully crafted web requests that bypass security controls.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of input parameters that are not properly sanitized before being processed or displayed within the web interface. When users interact with the vulnerable CVSTrac application, particularly during login processes or main application navigation, attackers can inject malicious HTML code and JavaScript payloads that execute within the context of other users' browsers. This occurs because the application fails to implement proper output encoding or sanitization techniques when rendering user-supplied data, creating an environment where malicious scripts can be stored or executed without proper security boundaries.
The operational impact of CVE-2004-1146 extends beyond simple data theft, as the vulnerability enables attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, and data manipulation. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that the vulnerable files are core components of the authentication and main application logic, meaning that successful exploitation could compromise user sessions, allow unauthorized access to sensitive data, or provide attackers with the ability to inject persistent malicious content that affects all users of the system. This vulnerability directly aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, and represents a classic example of how inadequate input validation can lead to severe security consequences.
Organizations running vulnerable versions of CVSTrac face significant risks including potential data breaches, unauthorized system access, and compromised user privacy. The vulnerability's classification as a remote attack vector means that malicious actors can exploit it from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access or prior authentication to the system. Security professionals should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to CVSTrac version 1.1.5 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address these vulnerabilities. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls, input validation controls, and comprehensive output encoding mechanisms to protect against similar vulnerabilities. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under T1566, which involves the exploitation of vulnerabilities to gain initial access, and T1071, which covers application layer protocol usage for command and control communications. This vulnerability underscores the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software, implementing proper security controls, and conducting regular vulnerability assessments to prevent exploitation of known security flaws in web applications.