CVE-2004-1975 in paFileDB
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the category module in pafiledb.php for paFileDB 3.1 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the id parameter, a vulnerability that is closely related to CVE-2004-1551.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/25/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2004-1975 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the category module of paFileDB version 3.1. This security weakness exists in the pafiledb.php script where user-supplied input is not properly sanitized before being rendered back to web browsers. The specific vector of attack occurs through the id parameter which is processed without adequate validation or encoding mechanisms, allowing malicious actors to inject arbitrary HTML or JavaScript code that executes in the context of other users' browsers.
This vulnerability operates under the well-documented CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is classified as a critical web application security flaw that enables attackers to execute malicious scripts in victim browsers. The flaw directly impacts the application's input validation processes, where the category module fails to implement proper sanitization of user-provided identifiers. The relationship to CVE-2004-1551 demonstrates a pattern of similar vulnerabilities within the same software ecosystem, suggesting systemic issues in the application's security architecture and input handling mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to perform session hijacking, deface web pages, steal sensitive cookies, or redirect users to malicious websites. When exploited, the vulnerability allows remote attackers to compromise user sessions and potentially gain unauthorized access to the application's functionality. The attack requires minimal privileges since it targets the web application layer rather than requiring system-level access or authentication, making it particularly dangerous for public-facing file database applications that rely on user interaction.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application. The recommended approach includes sanitizing all user-provided input parameters, particularly the id parameter in this case, by applying proper HTML entity encoding before rendering content. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy headers and adopting secure coding practices such as those recommended by the OWASP Top Ten project can significantly reduce the risk of exploitation. The vulnerability highlights the importance of input validation at multiple layers of application architecture and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1531 for credential access through web application attacks, emphasizing the need for robust application security measures.