CVE-2004-1794 in VCard4J
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the VCard4J Toolkit allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the NICKNAME tag in a vCard.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/22/2018
The CVE-2004-1794 vulnerability represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the VCard4J Toolkit, a Java-based library for processing vCard formatted contact information. This vulnerability specifically targets the handling of the NICKNAME tag within vCard data structures, creating an avenue for remote attackers to execute malicious web scripts or HTML code within the context of vulnerable web applications that utilize this toolkit. The vulnerability exists because the toolkit fails to properly sanitize or escape user-supplied input when processing vCard files, particularly those containing the NICKNAME field which is commonly used to store user-defined nicknames or aliases.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when a web application processes vCard data through the VCard4J Toolkit and displays the NICKNAME field content without proper input validation or output encoding. Attackers can craft malicious vCard files containing specially formatted NICKNAME tags that include JavaScript code or HTML elements, which then get executed when the vulnerable application displays or processes these contact records. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79 - Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, which is a fundamental weakness in web application security where user-controllable data is not properly escaped before being rendered in web pages. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because vCard files are commonly exchanged between users and applications, making them an attractive vector for XSS attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform session hijacking, deface web applications, steal sensitive user information, or redirect users to malicious websites. When web applications that utilize the VCard4J Toolkit process contact information from untrusted sources, they become susceptible to these attacks, potentially compromising the security of entire user bases. The vulnerability is especially dangerous in environments where users can upload or import vCard files, such as contact management systems, social networking platforms, or corporate directory applications. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with T1566 - Phishing and T1059 - Command and Scripting Interpreter, as it enables attackers to deliver malicious payloads through seemingly legitimate vCard file imports and execute code within user contexts.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2004-1794 should focus on input validation and output encoding practices that prevent the execution of malicious scripts. Organizations should implement proper HTML escaping for all user-supplied data before rendering it in web pages, particularly when processing vCard data. The VCard4J Toolkit should be updated to the latest version that includes proper input sanitization and validation mechanisms. Additionally, web applications should employ Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to limit script execution and prevent unauthorized code injection. Security measures should include validating the structure and content of vCard files, implementing strict access controls for vCard import functionality, and conducting regular security testing to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the application stack. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of applying security patches promptly and maintaining up-to-date libraries to prevent exploitation of known weaknesses in third-party components.