CVE-2004-2064 in Lostbook
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in lostBook 1.1 and earlier allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script via the (1) Email or (2) Website fields.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/19/2025
The CVE-2004-2064 vulnerability represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw in the lostBook 1.1 content management system and earlier versions. This vulnerability specifically targets the input validation mechanisms within the application's email and website field handling components, creating a pathway for malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts within the context of other users' browsers. The flaw exists due to insufficient sanitization of user-supplied data before it is rendered back to end users, allowing attackers to embed malicious code that executes when legitimate users view the affected pages.
This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is classified as a critical security weakness in web applications. The specific attack vector involves the exploitation of input fields that are designed to accept email addresses and website URLs, where attackers can inject malicious script code that gets executed when other users browse pages containing the compromised data. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it allows for persistent XSS attacks, meaning the malicious code can remain embedded in the application's database and affect multiple users over time. The attack requires no special privileges or authentication, making it accessible to anyone who can submit data through the affected form fields.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform various malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, and redirection to malicious sites. When legitimate users view pages containing the injected scripts, their browsers execute the malicious code, potentially allowing attackers to steal cookies, modify page content, or redirect users to phishing sites. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of user data, as well as the overall trustworthiness of the application. The persistent nature of the flaw means that once exploited, the malicious scripts continue to execute for all users who encounter the affected content, creating a long-term security risk that can be difficult to remediate completely.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2004-2064 must focus on implementing robust input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application. The primary defense involves sanitizing all user input before it is stored or rendered back to users, particularly in fields that accept potentially dangerous data types such as email addresses and URLs. Implementing proper HTML encoding of output data ensures that any malicious script code is treated as plain text rather than executable content. Additionally, developers should implement Content Security Policy headers to limit the sources from which scripts can be loaded, and establish proper input validation routines that reject or sanitize potentially harmful characters. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious input patterns. The remediation process requires immediate patching of the affected version, as the vulnerability cannot be effectively mitigated through configuration changes alone due to its fundamental design flaw in the input handling mechanisms.