CVE-2004-2115 in HTTP Server
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in Oracle HTTP Server 1.3.22, based on Apache, allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary script as other users via the (1) action, (2) username, or (3) password parameters in an isqlplus request.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/06/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-2115 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting Oracle HTTP Server version 1.3.22, which is built upon the Apache web server framework. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the server's handling of specific parameters in isqlplus requests, creating a pathway for malicious actors to inject and execute arbitrary scripts within the context of other users' browser sessions. The affected parameters include action, username, and password fields, which are processed without proper sanitization, allowing attackers to craft malicious payloads that can be executed when legitimate users interact with the vulnerable application.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting vulnerabilities in web applications. The flaw occurs due to insufficient validation of user-supplied input data, particularly within the isqlplus component that provides database access functionality through a web interface. When these parameters are passed through HTTP requests without proper encoding or filtering, the server fails to distinguish between legitimate user input and malicious script code, resulting in the execution of attacker-controlled JavaScript within the victim's browser context. This vulnerability operates at the application layer and leverages the trust relationship between the web server and its users to deliver malicious payloads that can persist across user sessions.
The operational impact of CVE-2004-2115 extends beyond simple script execution, as it enables attackers to perform session hijacking, steal sensitive authentication credentials, and potentially escalate privileges within the database environment. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to capture user sessions, redirect victims to malicious websites, or inject malicious code that can harvest additional sensitive information from the user's browser. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it affects the database access interface, potentially allowing attackers to gain unauthorized access to database resources that they would normally be restricted from accessing. The attack vector requires no special privileges to exploit, making it accessible to any remote attacker who can submit requests to the vulnerable Oracle HTTP Server instance.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application stack. Organizations should apply the latest security patches provided by Oracle, as the vendor would have released fixes addressing the specific input sanitization issues within the isqlplus component. Network administrators should implement proper web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious script payloads, while also configuring the server to properly encode all user-supplied input before processing. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide additional protection against script injection attacks, and regular security assessments should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities within other web applications that may be using the same or similar frameworks. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation in web applications and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for scripting, emphasizing the need for robust application-level defenses against client-side exploitation techniques.