CVE-2004-1420 in Autopilot
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in header.php in WHM AutoPilot 2.4.6.5 and earlier allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) site_title or (2) http_images parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/22/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-1420 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting WHM AutoPilot version 2.4.6.5 and earlier installations. This vulnerability resides within the header.php file, which serves as a foundational component in the web application's user interface rendering process. The flaw manifests when the application fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input before incorporating it into dynamic web page content, creating an avenue for malicious actors to execute unauthorized scripts within the context of victim browsers. The vulnerability specifically impacts two parameters: site_title and http_images, both of which are processed through the header.php script and subsequently rendered in web pages without adequate input validation or output encoding measures.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of HTTP request parameters that are directly fed into the application's header generation logic. When attackers submit malicious payloads through either the site_title or http_images parameters, the vulnerable application processes these inputs without proper sanitization, allowing HTML tags and JavaScript code to be embedded directly into the generated web pages. This creates a persistent cross-site scripting condition where any user visiting a page containing the malicious input will have the injected code executed in their browser context, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites. The vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for initial access through spearphishing attachments or links.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with the capability to manipulate the application's user interface and potentially escalate their privileges within the affected system. An attacker could craft malicious payloads that appear legitimate to users, making the attack more convincing and harder to detect. The vulnerability affects the core header functionality of WHM AutoPilot, which means that any page utilizing this component would be susceptible to the attack. This creates a widespread risk across the entire application surface, as the header.php file is likely used across multiple pages and sections of the web application. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects a component that typically handles user-configurable content, making it difficult to predict all possible attack vectors and increasing the potential for successful exploitation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application's codebase. The most effective immediate fix involves sanitizing all user-supplied input before it is processed or rendered in web pages, particularly for parameters that are directly incorporated into HTML output. Implementing Content Security Policy headers can provide additional defense-in-depth protection against script execution, while proper HTML encoding of dynamic content ensures that any malicious script tags are rendered harmless. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious parameter values, and conduct regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the application. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation and output encoding practices, aligning with security best practices outlined in OWASP Top Ten and other industry standards for preventing cross-site scripting attacks.