CVE-2004-1632 in MoniWiki
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in wiki.php in MoniWiki 1.0.8 and earlier allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the arguments to wiki.php.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/25/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-1632 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw discovered in MoniWiki version 1.0.8 and earlier implementations. This security weakness resides within the wiki.php script which fails to properly sanitize user input parameters, creating an avenue for malicious actors to execute unauthorized code within the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability specifically affects the handling of arguments passed to the wiki.php endpoint, where input validation mechanisms are insufficient to prevent the injection of malicious scripts.
This XSS vulnerability operates by allowing remote attackers to submit crafted payloads through the application's input fields or URL parameters that are then reflected back to other users without proper sanitization or encoding. When victims access the affected page, the malicious script executes in their browser context, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious websites. The flaw falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting vulnerabilities in web applications, where the application fails to properly validate or encode user-supplied data before incorporating it into dynamically generated web pages.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to manipulate the functionality of the MoniWiki application itself. An attacker could potentially modify wiki content, steal user sessions, or redirect users to phishing sites that appear legitimate. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in collaborative environments where multiple users interact with the wiki system, as the malicious script could affect all users who view the compromised content. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 which covers social engineering tactics, specifically through the use of malicious links or content that tricks users into executing harmful scripts.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2004-1632 should focus on implementing robust input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the MoniWiki application. The most effective approach involves sanitizing all user-supplied input parameters before they are processed or displayed, utilizing proper HTML encoding techniques to prevent script execution. Organizations should also implement Content Security Policy headers to add an additional layer of protection against XSS attacks. Regular security updates and patches should be applied immediately upon availability, as this vulnerability was addressed in later versions of MoniWiki. Additionally, web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide monitoring capabilities to detect and block suspicious input patterns that may indicate attempted XSS exploitation attempts.