CVE-2004-1825 in Open Source
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in index.php in Mambo Open Source 4.5 stable 1.0.3 and earlier allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) return or (2) mos_change_template parameters.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/31/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-1825 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within Mambo Open Source 4.5 stable 1.0.3 and earlier versions. This security weakness resides in the index.php script and specifically affects two parameter inputs named return and mos_change_template. The vulnerability classifies under CWE-79 which defines improper neutralization of input during web page generation, making it a classic example of client-side injection attack vector. This flaw enables malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of a victim's browser session, potentially compromising user data and system integrity.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the lack of proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the Mambo CMS framework. When the application processes the return or mos_change_template parameters without adequate sanitization, it directly incorporates user-supplied data into dynamically generated web pages. This occurs because the system fails to properly escape special characters and HTML tags that could be interpreted by web browsers as executable code rather than static content. The attack vector operates through HTTP GET requests where an attacker crafts malicious URLs containing script payloads in these specific parameters, which are then rendered on the victim's browser when the page loads.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations utilizing the affected Mambo versions. Attackers can leverage this flaw to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious websites, deface web pages, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. The impact extends beyond simple data theft as it can facilitate more sophisticated attacks including privilege escalation and persistent backdoor establishment. The vulnerability affects the core functionality of the content management system, potentially compromising the entire website infrastructure and user databases. According to ATT&CK framework tactic T1566, this represents a server-side web application attack that leverages the web application's trust relationship with users.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2004-1825 require immediate action including upgrading to patched versions of Mambo Open Source, applying the relevant security updates released by the Mambo development team, and implementing proper input validation mechanisms. Organizations should also deploy web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious payloads targeting these specific parameters. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide additional defense-in-depth measures to prevent execution of unauthorized scripts. Regular security audits and input validation testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the web application stack. Additionally, user education regarding suspicious website behavior and the importance of keeping CMS software updated remains crucial for comprehensive security posture maintenance.