CVE-2004-1551 in paFileDB
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the (1) email or (2) file modules in paFileDB 3.1 Final allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary web script or HTML via the id parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/26/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-1551 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the paFileDB 3.1 Final application, specifically affecting both email and file modules. This weakness resides in the application's handling of user-supplied input through the id parameter, creating an exploitable vector that allows remote attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic XSS pattern where unvalidated input flows directly into web output without proper sanitization or encoding mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this flaw stems from inadequate input validation within the paFileDB application's core modules. When the application processes the id parameter from user requests, it fails to properly sanitize or encode the input before incorporating it into dynamic web content. This oversight enables attackers to craft malicious payloads that, when executed, can perform actions such as stealing session cookies, redirecting users to malicious sites, or defacing web pages. The vulnerability affects both email and file modules, indicating a systemic issue in how the application handles parameter validation across multiple functional components.
From an operational perspective, this XSS vulnerability poses significant risks to the security posture of systems running paFileDB 3.1 Final. Attackers can leverage this weakness to compromise user sessions, potentially gaining unauthorized access to sensitive data or administrative functions. The remote execution capability means that exploitation does not require local system access, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous in web environments where users may interact with the application from various locations. The impact extends beyond simple script execution to include potential data theft, privilege escalation, and service disruption.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with the ATT&CK technique T1566 for initial access through spearphishing attachments or links. Organizations deploying paFileDB should implement immediate mitigations including input validation, output encoding, and the implementation of Content Security Policies to prevent script execution. Additionally, the application should be updated to a patched version or replaced with a more secure alternative, as the vendor has likely addressed this issue in subsequent releases. Regular security assessments and web application firewalls should also be deployed to detect and prevent similar vulnerabilities in other components of the system infrastructure.