CVE-2004-2084 in Server
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in search.php in JShop E-Commerce Server allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the xSearch parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/17/2018
The CVE-2004-2084 vulnerability represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw in the JShop E-Commerce Server's search functionality, specifically within the search.php script. This vulnerability exposes the system to remote code execution risks through malicious input manipulation, allowing attackers to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content directly into the application's response. The vulnerability occurs when the application fails to properly sanitize user input passed through the xSearch parameter, creating an opening for malicious actors to execute unauthorized scripts in the context of other users' browsers.
The technical implementation of this XSS vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding practices within the JShop server implementation. When users submit search queries through the xSearch parameter, the application processes this input without sufficient sanitization measures, allowing malicious payloads to be stored or directly executed in the browser context of unsuspecting users. This flaw falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, specifically representing a stored or reflected XSS attack vector depending on how the vulnerable parameter is processed within the application's architecture. The vulnerability demonstrates poor security design principles where user-supplied data enters the application without proper validation or encoding before being rendered back to users.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, creating significant risks for e-commerce platforms that rely on user trust and data integrity. Attackers can exploit this weakness to steal session cookies, perform unauthorized transactions, redirect users to malicious sites, or deface the online store's interface. The vulnerability particularly threatens customer data confidentiality and platform integrity, as any user who views the search results page could be exposed to malicious scripts. In a broader context, this vulnerability represents a critical security gap that could compromise the entire e-commerce ecosystem, potentially leading to financial losses, reputational damage, and regulatory compliance violations. The attack surface is particularly concerning for online retailers where customer interactions and transactions occur through web interfaces.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2004-2084 should encompass both immediate defensive measures and long-term architectural improvements. The primary remediation involves implementing strict input validation and output encoding mechanisms that sanitize all user-supplied data before processing or rendering. This includes employing proper HTML entity encoding for output, implementing Content Security Policy headers, and utilizing parameterized queries where applicable. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious payloads targeting this vulnerability. The remediation process aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, specifically targeting script injection vectors within web applications. Regular security audits and code reviews should be conducted to prevent similar vulnerabilities in future development cycles, emphasizing the importance of secure coding practices and input validation mechanisms. Additionally, implementing proper error handling and logging can help detect exploitation attempts and provide forensic data for incident response activities.