CVE-2004-1829 in Error Manager
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in error.php in Gijza.net Error Manager 2.1 for PHP-Nuke 6.0 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) pagetitle or (2) error parameters, or (3) certain parameters in the error log.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/17/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-1829 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Gijza.net Error Manager 2.1 component designed for PHP-Nuke 6.0 platforms. This security weakness resides in the error.php script which serves as the primary error handling mechanism for the system. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output sanitization practices that fail to properly escape or filter user-supplied data before incorporating it into web responses. The affected parameters include pagetitle, error, and various elements within the error log functionality, creating multiple attack vectors for malicious actors to exploit. This flaw directly violates the principles of secure web application development and represents a fundamental breakdown in the application's defensive mechanisms against malicious code injection.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when remote attackers submit malicious payloads through the vulnerable parameters mentioned in the CVE description. When the error.php script processes these inputs without proper sanitization, the injected HTML or JavaScript code becomes part of the web page response delivered to unsuspecting users. This creates a persistent threat where victims who view the error page will execute the malicious code within their browser context, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be classified under CWE-79 as "Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting')", which is one of the most prevalent and dangerous web application security flaws. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it leverages the error handling mechanism itself, which users and administrators frequently interact with during system operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or defacement. When exploited successfully, these XSS vulnerabilities can enable attackers to perform session hijacking attacks, steal cookies, redirect users to phishing sites, or even execute arbitrary commands on vulnerable systems. The error manager component typically operates with elevated privileges or access to sensitive system information, making it a particularly attractive target for attackers seeking to escalate their privileges or gain deeper access to the underlying PHP-Nuke platform. The vulnerability affects the entire user base of the application, as any interaction with error pages could potentially trigger the malicious code execution. This creates a widespread risk that can compromise multiple user sessions and potentially lead to full system compromise if attackers can leverage the XSS to gain additional access through other attack vectors.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2004-1829 should focus on immediate input validation and output encoding practices. The most effective approach involves implementing comprehensive sanitization of all user inputs, particularly those that are reflected in web responses. This includes applying proper HTML entity encoding to all dynamic content before rendering it in web pages, which aligns with the ATT&CK framework's mitigation techniques for web application security. Organizations should also consider implementing Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to limit the execution of inline scripts and restrict external resource loading. Additionally, the affected Gijza.net Error Manager 2.1 component should be upgraded to a patched version that properly validates and sanitizes all input parameters. Regular security auditing of web applications, including thorough input validation testing and code reviews, is essential to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in future versions. The remediation process should also include comprehensive user education about the risks of clicking on suspicious links or visiting compromised error pages, as well as implementing proper logging and monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts.