CVE-2004-1700 in Showcenter
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in SettingsBase.php in Pinnacle ShowCenter 1.51 build 121 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary HTML or web script via the Skin parameter, which is echoed in an error message.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/05/2019
The CVE-2004-1700 vulnerability represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw in the Pinnacle ShowCenter content management system version 1.51 build 121. This vulnerability resides within the SettingsBase.php file and demonstrates a critical weakness in input validation and output encoding practices. The flaw specifically targets the Skin parameter handling mechanism, where user-supplied input is directly reflected in error messages without proper sanitization or encoding. This creates an exploitable condition where remote attackers can craft malicious payloads that execute in the context of other users' browsers when the vulnerable application processes these inputs.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability follows the standard XSS attack pattern where untrusted data flows from user input through the application's processing logic and back to the user interface without adequate security controls. When the Skin parameter contains malicious script code, the application echoes this value within an error message context, allowing the injected payload to execute in the victim's browser. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications. The vulnerability's classification as a reflected XSS issue indicates that the malicious script is reflected back to the user through the application's error handling mechanism rather than being stored in a database or file system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution as it enables attackers to perform various malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, and redirection to malicious websites. An attacker could craft a payload that steals session cookies or injects malicious code to redirect users to phishing sites. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not require local access or authentication to leverage the flaw. This makes it particularly dangerous in web environments where the application is publicly accessible. The error message context provides a natural vector for injection since error handling routines often lack the same security rigor as primary application logic paths.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2004-1700 should focus on implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application's codebase. The most effective approach involves sanitizing all user-supplied input parameters before processing them, particularly those that are reflected back to users in error messages or other response contexts. Implementing Content Security Policy headers and using proper HTML encoding functions when displaying user data can prevent script execution. Additionally, the application should employ parameterized input validation that rejects known malicious patterns or characters. Security hardening practices should include regular code reviews focusing on input/output handling, implementing automated scanning tools to detect similar vulnerabilities, and ensuring that error messages do not contain raw user input. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious payloads targeting known XSS patterns. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to OWASP Top Ten security guidelines, particularly those addressing injection flaws and cross-site scripting vulnerabilities. This case study highlights the critical need for comprehensive security testing and input validation across all application components, especially in error handling routines where security controls may be relaxed.