CVE-2004-1957 in PostNuke
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in PostNuke 0.726 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) lid and query parameters to the Downloads module, (2) query parameter to the Web_links module, or (3) hlpfile parameter to openwindow.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/02/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-1957 represents a critical cross-site scripting weakness affecting PostNuke version 0.726, specifically targeting three distinct modules within the content management system. This vulnerability resides in the input validation mechanisms of the Downloads module, Web_links module, and the openwindow.php script, creating multiple attack vectors for malicious actors seeking to exploit user sessions and compromise web applications. The flaw allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML code into the application's response, potentially enabling session hijacking, credential theft, and other malicious activities that could severely impact the security posture of affected systems.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient sanitization of user-supplied input parameters across multiple modules. In the Downloads module, the lid and query parameters fail to properly validate or escape user input, while the Web_links module's query parameter demonstrates similar weaknesses. The openwindow.php script's hlpfile parameter presents another avenue for exploitation. These parameters are directly incorporated into the HTTP response without adequate filtering or encoding, creating opportunities for attackers to inject malicious payloads that execute in the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, and represents a classic example of insecure input handling that violates fundamental web security principles.
The operational impact of CVE-2004-1957 extends beyond simple script injection, potentially enabling sophisticated attack chains that could lead to complete system compromise. Attackers could craft malicious links that, when clicked by unsuspecting users, would execute scripts to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or even modify content within the vulnerable application. The multi-module nature of this vulnerability increases the attack surface, as exploitation could occur through different pathways, making comprehensive protection more challenging. Organizations running PostNuke 0.726 systems face significant risk of unauthorized access, data breaches, and potential full system compromise. This vulnerability particularly impacts web applications that rely on user-generated content or dynamic parameter processing, making it a critical concern for any system administrators managing legacy web platforms.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate implementation of input validation and output encoding mechanisms across all affected modules. System administrators should apply the vendor-provided patches or upgrade to a supported PostNuke version that addresses these XSS vulnerabilities. The solution approach should incorporate proper parameter sanitization, HTML entity encoding, and Content Security Policy implementation to prevent script execution in user contexts. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other legacy systems. Additionally, security teams should conduct comprehensive code reviews focusing on input validation practices and implement automated testing procedures to detect XSS vulnerabilities in web applications. The remediation process should follow ATT&CK framework principles for mitigating web application vulnerabilities, particularly focusing on defensive techniques related to input validation and output encoding to prevent malicious script execution in user browsers.