CVE-2004-1409 in Image Gallery Web Application
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting vulnerabilities in Image Gallery Web Application 0.9.10 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/27/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-1409 represents a critical security flaw in the Image Gallery Web Application version 0.9.10, specifically manifesting as multiple cross-site scripting vulnerabilities. This classification aligns with CWE-79 which defines cross-site scripting as a weakness where an application fails to properly validate or escape user-supplied data before incorporating it into dynamic web content. The affected application fails to implement adequate input sanitization mechanisms, creating an environment where malicious actors can exploit this weakness to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML code into the application's output.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through the application's handling of user input parameters that are subsequently rendered without proper sanitization or encoding. Attackers can leverage this flaw by crafting malicious input strings that contain script tags or other HTML elements which are then executed in the context of other users' browsers when they view the affected content. This typically occurs in parameters such as search fields, comment sections, or any user-controllable input fields that are directly incorporated into the web page output. The vulnerability affects the application's core functionality where user-generated content or parameters are displayed without proper security measures to prevent script injection attacks.
The operational impact of CVE-2004-1409 extends beyond simple data theft or display manipulation, as it enables attackers to perform various malicious activities including session hijacking, defacement of web content, redirection to malicious sites, and potential data exfiltration. When successful, these attacks can compromise the integrity and confidentiality of the web application and its users. The vulnerability creates a persistent threat vector that can be exploited repeatedly, as the underlying input validation mechanism remains unaddressed. This allows attackers to establish long-term footholds within the application environment, potentially leading to more severe consequences such as complete system compromise or unauthorized access to sensitive user data.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application's codebase. The recommended approach involves adopting proper parameter validation techniques that reject or sanitize potentially malicious input before processing, combined with output encoding that ensures any user-supplied content is rendered safely in the browser context. Security measures should include implementing Content Security Policy headers, utilizing secure coding practices that prevent direct insertion of user input into dynamic web content, and conducting regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring systems to detect and prevent exploitation attempts, while following established security frameworks such as those defined by the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity guidelines to ensure comprehensive protection against cross-site scripting threats.
The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation in web application security and highlights how seemingly simple flaws can create significant risks in web environments. This type of vulnerability is particularly concerning in web applications that handle user-generated content, as it directly impacts the trust and security model of the entire application ecosystem. The attack surface for such vulnerabilities typically includes any input field that is directly rendered in web pages without proper sanitization, making comprehensive security testing and code review essential components of secure application development practices.