CVE-2004-2162 in TUTOS
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in TUTOS 1.1 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via (1) the search field of the Address Module or (2) the t parameter to app_new.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/14/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-2162 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting TUTOS 1.1, a web-based groupware application designed for collaborative environments. This vulnerability exposes the application to malicious injection attacks that can compromise user sessions and potentially lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data. The flaw exists within the input validation mechanisms of the application's Address Module and its core application framework, specifically in how the system processes user-supplied data through the search functionality and parameter handling.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient sanitization of user input within two distinct attack vectors. The first vector involves the search field of the Address Module where malicious actors can submit crafted scripts that execute in the context of other users' browsers when they view the search results. The second vector targets the t parameter in the app_new.php script, which allows attackers to inject malicious code directly into the application's execution flow. Both attack paths demonstrate a fundamental failure in input validation and output encoding practices that are essential for preventing XSS attacks. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws where untrusted data is improperly incorporated into web pages without proper validation or encoding.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, creating potential pathways for session hijacking, credential theft, and data exfiltration. When users browse the Address Module or interact with the application's new item creation functionality, their browsers execute the injected malicious code, potentially allowing attackers to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or manipulate application behavior. The risk is particularly elevated in collaborative environments where multiple users interact with shared data, as a single compromised session could provide access to sensitive organizational information. This vulnerability affects the core security model of the application and undermines user trust in the system's integrity.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application. The recommended approach includes sanitizing all user-supplied input through strict validation rules that reject or escape potentially dangerous characters and patterns before processing or displaying data. Organizations should implement Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution and establish proper input sanitization routines for all parameters and form fields. Additionally, regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components. This remediation aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566, which covers the exploitation of web application vulnerabilities for initial access and privilege escalation, emphasizing the importance of addressing input validation weaknesses in web applications. The vulnerability also highlights the necessity of following secure coding practices and implementing defense-in-depth strategies to protect against persistent threats targeting web application interfaces.