CVE-2004-1651 in phpScheduleIt
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in the registration page in phpScheduleIt 1.0.0 RC1 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) Name or (2) Lastname fields during new user registration, or (3) the Schedule Name field.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/24/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-1651 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw discovered in phpScheduleIt version 1.0.0 RC1, specifically affecting the user registration process. This vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-79 which defines weaknesses related to cross-site scripting vulnerabilities. The flaw manifests in three distinct input fields during new user registration, creating multiple attack vectors for malicious actors seeking to exploit the system. The affected fields include the Name field, the Lastname field, and the Schedule Name field, all of which fail to properly sanitize or validate user input before processing.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the phpScheduleIt application's registration module. When users submit registration data through the web interface, the application fails to adequately filter or escape special characters that could be interpreted as HTML or JavaScript code. This lack of proper sanitization allows attackers to inject malicious scripts that execute in the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it occurs during the registration process, meaning that any user attempting to create an account could be exploited, and the malicious code would persist in the application's data store, potentially affecting all subsequent users who interact with the compromised data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it provides attackers with the capability to perform various malicious activities through the compromised system. According to the MITRE ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to technique T1059.007 for command and control through web shells, and T1566 for credential access through social engineering. Attackers could potentially steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious websites, deface the application interface, or even gain unauthorized access to user accounts. The persistent nature of the stored XSS vulnerability means that once exploited, the malicious code would continue to execute whenever affected pages are loaded, creating a long-term security risk for the application and its users. The vulnerability affects the core functionality of user account management and scheduling capabilities, potentially compromising the integrity of the entire application.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application. The recommended approach involves sanitizing all user input through proper escaping techniques before storing or displaying data, implementing Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution, and conducting thorough input validation on all fields that accept user-provided data. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious payloads, while ensuring that all application components are updated to versions that address this specific vulnerability. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar issues in other parts of the application, as this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input sanitization in web applications. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and monitoring mechanisms can help detect unauthorized activities and prevent further exploitation of the vulnerability.