CVE-2004-2119 in Tiny Server
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Tiny Server 1.1 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the URL.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/08/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-2119 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within Tiny Server version 1.1, a lightweight web server software that was widely deployed for basic web serving functions. This vulnerability resides in the server's handling of URL parameters, specifically failing to properly sanitize or validate input received through web requests. The flaw enables remote attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of a victim's browser by crafting specially formatted URLs that contain embedded JavaScript code or HTML elements. The vulnerability directly impacts the server's security model by allowing unauthorized code execution within user sessions, potentially compromising the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of web applications hosted on the server.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within Tiny Server's URL processing functionality. When the server receives a request containing URL parameters, it fails to properly escape or filter special characters that could be interpreted as executable code by web browsers. This processing gap creates an environment where attacker-controlled data flows directly into the server's response generation without proper sanitization. The vulnerability manifests as a classic reflected XSS attack vector, where malicious payloads are injected through the URL and subsequently reflected back to the user's browser without proper encoding or validation. According to CWE classification, this corresponds to CWE-79 which specifically addresses Cross-site Scripting vulnerabilities, and more precisely CWE-74 which deals with Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component.
The operational impact of CVE-2004-2119 extends beyond simple script injection, as it provides attackers with potential access to sensitive user data and session information. When exploited, the vulnerability allows for session hijacking, credential theft, and redirection to malicious sites. Attackers can leverage this flaw to steal cookies, access user accounts, or perform unauthorized actions on behalf of legitimate users. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in environments where Tiny Server is used to host web applications with authentication mechanisms, as it can bypass security controls and provide persistent access to sensitive resources. From an attack perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript, and T1566 for Phishing, as attackers can craft malicious URLs to deliver payloads to unsuspecting users.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2004-2119 require immediate attention through software updates and input validation improvements. The most effective remediation involves upgrading to a patched version of Tiny Server that implements proper input sanitization and output encoding for URL parameters. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation mechanisms that filter or escape special characters before processing user-supplied data. Additionally, deploying web application firewalls and implementing Content Security Policies can provide additional layers of protection against exploitation attempts. Security configurations should include disabling unnecessary server features and implementing proper URL parameter validation. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation in web server implementations and highlights the need for security-conscious development practices that follow established security standards and guidelines for preventing XSS attacks.