CVE-2004-1599 in Web Portal
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in index.php in CoolPHP 1.0-stable allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) query or (2) nick parameters.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/25/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-1599 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the CoolPHP 1.0-stable content management system. This vulnerability exists in the index.php script and specifically affects two parameter inputs: query and nick. The flaw allows remote attackers to inject malicious web scripts or HTML code directly into the application's response, creating a persistent security risk that can be exploited without any authentication or privileged access. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is classified as a fundamental weakness in web application security that enables attackers to execute scripts in the context of other users.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding within the CoolPHP application. When users provide input through the query or nick parameters, the application fails to properly sanitize or escape these values before incorporating them into web responses. This lack of proper input filtering creates an environment where malicious payloads can be executed in the browsers of unsuspecting users who visit affected pages. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it allows attackers to inject any arbitrary HTML or JavaScript code, potentially enabling session hijacking, data theft, or redirection to malicious sites.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can be leveraged for more sophisticated attacks within the context of the affected web application. Attackers can use this vulnerability to steal user sessions, redirect victims to phishing sites, deface the website, or even establish persistent backdoors through the injection of malicious scripts. The remote execution capability means that attackers do not need physical access to the system or any privileged accounts to exploit this vulnerability, making it particularly attractive for automated attack campaigns. This vulnerability directly maps to the attack pattern described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1059.001 technique for Command and Scripting Interpreter, specifically targeting web-based command execution through user input fields.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2004-1599 require immediate implementation of proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the CoolPHP application. Organizations should implement strict parameter validation that rejects or sanitizes potentially malicious input before processing user requests. The recommended approach includes implementing proper HTML entity encoding for all dynamic content before rendering it in web responses, which prevents script execution in browser contexts. Additionally, developers should employ a whitelist approach for accepted input parameters and implement Content Security Policy headers to further restrict script execution capabilities. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of following secure coding practices as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten, particularly focusing on input validation and output encoding to prevent XSS attacks. System administrators should also consider implementing web application firewalls and regular security audits to detect and prevent exploitation attempts. The long-term solution involves upgrading to patched versions of CoolPHP or migrating to more modern, secure content management systems that have proper built-in protections against such vulnerabilities.