CVE-2004-1512 in 04webserver
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Response_default.html in 04WebServer 1.42 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary web script or HTML via script code in the URL, which is not quoted in the resulting default error page.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/05/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2004-1512 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the 04WebServer 1.42 web server implementation. This issue specifically targets the Response_default.html file which serves as the default error page for the server. The vulnerability arises from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the server's error handling routine. When a malformed URL containing script code is submitted to the server, the web application fails to properly sanitize this input before incorporating it into the dynamically generated error page response. The absence of proper quoting or escaping of user-supplied data in the HTML output creates an exploitable condition where malicious scripts can be injected and executed within the context of a victim's browser session.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows a well-established XSS attack pattern where an attacker crafts a malicious URL containing script code and delivers it to unsuspecting users. The vulnerability is classified as a reflected XSS issue under CWE-79 which specifically addresses the improper neutralization of input during web page generation. When the vulnerable server processes the malicious request, it includes the unescaped script code directly into the Response_default.html template, resulting in the execution of arbitrary JavaScript code in the victim's browser. This type of vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK technique T1203 - Exploitation for Client Execution, where adversaries leverage web application vulnerabilities to execute malicious code on target systems through browser-based attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution as it provides attackers with the capability to perform session hijacking, deface web applications, steal sensitive information, or redirect users to malicious sites. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it requires no authentication or privileged access to the server itself, making it an attractive target for attackers seeking to compromise web applications. The vulnerability affects the server's ability to maintain secure communication channels and can lead to complete compromise of user sessions if the injected scripts are designed to capture cookies or other authentication tokens. Organizations running 04WebServer 1.42 are particularly vulnerable as this represents a fundamental flaw in the server's input handling and output encoding practices.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both the immediate security gap and the underlying architectural issues that allowed the flaw to exist. The primary remediation involves implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the web application's response handling. This includes ensuring that all user-supplied data is properly escaped before inclusion in HTML output, particularly within error messages and dynamic content generation. Organizations should implement Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution capabilities and employ web application firewalls to detect and block malicious payloads. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of regular security assessments and input validation reviews as recommended by OWASP Top Ten and NIST guidelines. Additionally, upgrading to a more recent version of the web server software or implementing proper HTML sanitization libraries can provide comprehensive protection against similar reflected XSS vulnerabilities. The fix should also include comprehensive testing of all error handling paths to ensure that no user-controllable data is directly embedded in server responses without proper sanitization.