CVE-2004-2128 in Webweaver
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in BRS WebWeaver 1.07 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary script as other users via the query string to ISAPISkeleton.dll.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/30/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-2128 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within BRS WebWeaver version 1.07, specifically affecting the ISAPISkeleton.dll component. This issue resides in the web application's input validation mechanisms, where user-supplied data from HTTP query strings is not properly sanitized before being processed or returned to users. The vulnerability stems from inadequate output encoding and input filtering practices that permit malicious scripts to be injected and subsequently executed within the context of other users' browsers. This particular weakness affects the ISAPI extension architecture which serves as a bridge between the web server and the application logic, making it a prime target for exploitation by attackers who can manipulate the query string parameters to inject malicious payloads.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious URL containing script code within the query parameters that are then processed by the ISAPISkeleton.dll module. When a victim user accesses this specially crafted URL, the web application fails to properly encode or escape the user input before rendering it in the browser context. This allows the malicious script to execute within the victim's browser session, potentially compromising their credentials, session tokens, or other sensitive information. The vulnerability is classified as a persistent XSS flaw since the malicious code can be stored and executed across multiple user sessions, making it particularly dangerous for web applications that process user-generated content or maintain user sessions. The attack vector specifically targets the query string parameter handling within the ISAPI interface, which operates at a privileged level within the web server architecture and can access sensitive application functions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution to encompass potential session hijacking, credential theft, and data manipulation within the targeted web application. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to steal authentication cookies, modify user permissions, or redirect victims to malicious websites that can further compromise their systems. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of user sessions, potentially allowing unauthorized access to sensitive data or administrative functions within the BRS WebWeaver environment. Given that this flaw exists in the ISAPI extension layer, it can potentially affect multiple applications running on the same web server instance, amplifying the scope of the attack. The vulnerability also presents a significant risk to user trust and application reputation since users may unknowingly execute malicious code without proper security awareness training.
Security mitigations for CVE-2004-2128 should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application stack. The primary defense involves sanitizing all user-supplied input through proper encoding techniques such as HTML entity encoding, JavaScript escaping, and URL encoding before any processing occurs. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy headers can provide an additional layer of protection by restricting script execution within the browser context. The web application should also employ proper session management practices including secure cookie attributes, session timeout mechanisms, and regular session regeneration. Organizations should consider deploying web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious query string patterns, while also implementing regular security audits and code reviews to identify similar input validation flaws. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and represents a common pattern in web application security that maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, demonstrating how user input can be leveraged to execute arbitrary code within the victim's browser environment.