CVE-2004-2096 in httpd
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Mephistoles httpd 0.6.0 final allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary script as other users by injecting arbitrary HTML or script into the URL.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/21/2025
The CVE-2004-2096 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in Mephistoles httpd version 0.6.0 final, exposing web applications to sophisticated attack vectors that can compromise user sessions and data integrity. This vulnerability operates through the injection of malicious HTML or script code into URLs, enabling remote attackers to execute arbitrary code within the context of other users' browsers. The flaw fundamentally undermines the security model of web applications by allowing attackers to manipulate the application's behavior through crafted input parameters, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, and unauthorized data access.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding within the Mephistoles httpd server's handling of URL parameters. When the web server processes user-supplied data without proper sanitization, it fails to distinguish between legitimate content and malicious script code. This weakness creates an environment where attacker-controlled input can be interpreted as executable code by the victim's browser, establishing a persistent threat vector that persists across multiple user sessions. The vulnerability specifically affects the server's parameter processing mechanism, where URL query strings are not adequately filtered or escaped before being rendered in web responses.
The operational impact of CVE-2004-2096 extends beyond simple script execution to encompass comprehensive session manipulation and data exfiltration capabilities. Attackers can craft malicious URLs that, when clicked by unsuspecting users, execute scripts that steal session cookies, redirect users to phishing sites, or modify application behavior. This vulnerability directly aligns with CWE-79 which categorizes cross-site scripting as a code injection flaw that allows attackers to execute client-side scripts. The attack surface is particularly dangerous because it leverages the trust relationship between users and web applications, making it difficult to detect and prevent through traditional network monitoring approaches.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of robust input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application stack. Organizations must deploy proper HTML escaping routines that transform potentially dangerous characters into their safe equivalents before rendering user-supplied content. The solution involves implementing comprehensive parameter validation that rejects or sanitizes malicious input patterns, particularly focusing on common script injection vectors such as javascript:, vbscript:, and various HTML tag constructions. Additionally, deployment of web application firewalls and security headers such as Content Security Policy can provide additional layers of protection against exploitation attempts. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of following secure coding practices and adheres to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for script injection, emphasizing the need for proper input sanitization in web applications.