CVE-2004-1529 in PHP-Nuke Event Calendar
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Event Calendar module 2.13 for PHP-Nuke allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary web script via the (1) type, (2) day, (3) month, or (4) year parameters in a Preview operation, or (5) event comments.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/16/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-1529 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Event Calendar module version 2.13 of PHP-Nuke, a widely used content management system and web application framework. This security weakness resides in the module's handling of user input parameters during preview operations, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject and execute arbitrary web scripts within the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability specifically affects the Preview functionality of the calendar module, where multiple parameter fields become attack vectors for XSS exploitation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output sanitization within the Event Calendar module's codebase. Attackers can manipulate four distinct parameters during preview operations including type, day, month, and year fields, while also exploiting event comments as an additional injection point. These parameters are processed without adequate sanitization measures, allowing malicious payloads to be stored and subsequently executed when other users view the affected calendar entries. The vulnerability manifests as a classic reflected XSS attack vector where crafted input is immediately reflected back to users without proper encoding or filtering mechanisms.
The operational impact of CVE-2004-1529 extends beyond simple script execution, potentially enabling attackers to perform session hijacking, deface websites, steal sensitive user information, or redirect victims to malicious domains. When exploited successfully, this vulnerability can compromise the integrity of the entire PHP-Nuke installation, as users who view affected calendar entries become unwitting participants in the attack chain. The attack requires minimal privileges since it operates entirely through web-based input parameters, making it particularly dangerous for public-facing applications where user contributions are accepted. This vulnerability directly aligns with CWE-79, which categorizes cross-site scripting flaws as weaknesses in input validation and output encoding, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter usage through web-based attacks.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability involve implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the Event Calendar module. Organizations should immediately patch the affected PHP-Nuke installation to the latest available version containing the necessary security fixes. Additionally, administrators should implement proper parameter sanitization routines that encode special characters and validate input against expected data formats before processing. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide an additional layer of protection by restricting script execution within the application context. Regular security audits of web applications should include thorough testing for XSS vulnerabilities in all user input fields, particularly those related to preview and comment functionality. System administrators should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious input patterns associated with known XSS attack vectors.