CVE-2004-1954 in phProfession
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in modules.php in phProfession 2.5 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the jcode parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/30/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-1954 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the phProfession 2.5 content management system. This security weakness resides in the modules.php file where user input is not properly sanitized before being rendered back to web browsers. The specific attack vector involves the jcode parameter which serves as an entry point for malicious script injection, allowing remote attackers to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of other users' browsers. This type of vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-79, which specifically addresses improper neutralization of input during web page generation, making it a fundamental web application security issue.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a failure in input validation and output encoding practices within the phProfession platform. When the jcode parameter is processed by modules.php, the application fails to implement proper sanitization measures that would prevent malicious code from being executed. Attackers can craft malicious payloads that exploit this weakness by injecting script tags or other HTML elements through the jcode parameter, which then get executed when legitimate users view the affected pages. This creates a persistent threat where compromised users' sessions could be hijacked or their browsers could be redirected to malicious sites, making it particularly dangerous for web applications that handle sensitive user data or administrative functions.
The operational impact of CVE-2004-1954 extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform various malicious activities including session hijacking, data theft, and redirection attacks. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of web applications by allowing unauthorized code execution in user contexts, potentially leading to complete system compromise if the affected application has administrative privileges. From an attacker's perspective, this vulnerability operates within the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, specifically targeting web applications through web shell injection and user interface injection methods. The exploitation of this flaw can result in persistent backdoors, data exfiltration, and unauthorized access to sensitive information stored within the phProfession platform.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of proper input sanitization and output encoding mechanisms. Organizations should ensure that all user-supplied input, particularly parameters like jcode, undergo rigorous validation and sanitization before being processed or displayed. The application should implement strict content security policies and employ proper HTML escaping techniques to prevent script execution in user contexts. Additionally, regular security audits and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other parameters or modules within the application. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of input validation and the need for comprehensive security testing practices that can identify and remediate such weaknesses before they can be exploited by malicious actors. The remediation process should include updating the phProfession platform to a version that addresses this specific XSS vulnerability, implementing web application firewalls, and establishing secure coding practices that prevent similar issues from occurring in other parts of the application.