CVE-2004-2497 in Web Page Generator Enterprise
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the error handler in Hitachi Web Page Generator and Web Page Generator Enterprise 4.01 and earlier, when using the default error template and debug mode is set to ON, allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unknown attack vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/19/2017
The vulnerability described in CVE-2004-2497 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw that emerged in Hitachi Web Page Generator and Web Page Generator Enterprise versions 4.01 and earlier. This issue specifically manifests within the application's error handling mechanism, where the system fails to properly sanitize user input before rendering error messages in the browser. The vulnerability becomes exploitable when the application operates with the default error template and debug mode enabled, creating a dangerous combination that exposes the system to malicious script injection attacks. The attack vectors remain unspecified in the original description, indicating that the flaw may be present in multiple input channels or processing paths within the error handling subsystem.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding practices within the error handling framework. When debug mode is active, the application displays detailed error information to users, including potentially malicious input that has not been properly escaped or filtered. This creates a scenario where an attacker can craft malicious input that, when processed by the error handler, gets executed in the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability operates at the application layer, specifically targeting the HTML rendering and script execution capabilities of web browsers, making it a direct threat to user session integrity and data confidentiality. According to CWE standards, this maps to CWE-79 which classifies improper neutralization of input during web output, and CWE-352 which addresses cross-site request forgery vulnerabilities that can be leveraged through similar injection techniques.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with potential access to sensitive user data and session information. Remote attackers could exploit this flaw to steal cookies, session tokens, or other authentication credentials from unsuspecting users who encounter the error page. The vulnerability's exploitation becomes more severe when considering that debug mode is often enabled in development environments, though it should never be active in production systems. This flaw represents a significant security risk for organizations using Hitachi Web Page Generator products, as it allows for persistent script injection attacks that can compromise user privacy and application integrity. The vulnerability also demonstrates poor security hygiene in the application's error handling design, where security considerations are not properly integrated into the development lifecycle.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2004-2497 must address both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements. The most effective immediate fix involves disabling debug mode in production environments and ensuring that all error messages are properly sanitized before display. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application, particularly within error handling components. The solution should include proper HTML escaping of all user-supplied data and the implementation of Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution capabilities. Security teams should also consider implementing web application firewalls and regular security assessments to detect similar vulnerabilities. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques involving command and control communication through web applications and session hijacking, making it a critical target for defensive measures. Additionally, organizations should establish secure coding practices that emphasize input validation and output encoding as fundamental security controls, preventing similar issues from arising in future application development cycles.