CVE-2004-2468 in Sillysearch
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in SillySearch 2.3 and earlier allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the search parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/29/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-2468 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within SillySearch version 2.3 and earlier implementations. This security weakness stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the web application's search functionality, creating an exploitable condition that permits malicious actors to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content directly into the application's response. The vulnerability specifically targets the search parameter handling mechanism, which fails to properly escape or filter user-supplied input before incorporating it into dynamically generated web pages. This fundamental flaw enables attackers to craft malicious search queries that, when processed by the vulnerable application, execute unintended code within the context of other users' browsers who access the search results.
The technical exploitation of this XSS vulnerability occurs when an attacker submits a specially crafted search query containing malicious script code through the application's search interface. The application processes this input without proper sanitization and subsequently renders it within the search results page, causing the embedded script to execute in the victim's browser. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws in web applications, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for initial access through malicious web content. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple script execution as it can enable session hijacking, credential theft, and the redirection of users to malicious websites, fundamentally compromising the integrity and security of the web application and its user base.
The operational consequences of this vulnerability are severe and multifaceted, as it undermines the trust relationship between users and the web application while potentially enabling broader attack vectors. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of authenticated users, or deface web pages to spread malware. The vulnerability affects all users interacting with the search functionality, making it particularly dangerous in environments where the application handles sensitive information or where users may not be security-aware. The impact is amplified by the fact that this vulnerability exists in a search functionality that is typically accessed frequently by users, providing attackers with multiple opportunities to exploit the flaw. Organizations using affected versions of SillySearch face significant risk of data breaches, reputational damage, and potential compliance violations, particularly in regulated environments where user data protection is mandated.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2004-2468 must focus on implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application's search functionality. The primary remediation involves sanitizing all user input through strict validation and encoding techniques, particularly ensuring that special characters are properly escaped before being rendered in web pages. Organizations should implement Content Security Policy headers to limit the execution of unauthorized scripts, and deploy web application firewalls to detect and block malicious search queries. Additionally, upgrading to a patched version of SillySearch is essential, as the vulnerability was addressed in subsequent releases through improved input handling and validation routines. Regular security testing including dynamic application security testing and manual penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components. The remediation process should also include comprehensive security training for developers to prevent similar issues in future application development cycles, emphasizing the importance of secure coding practices and input sanitization techniques that align with industry standards such as OWASP Top Ten and NIST guidelines for web application security.