CVE-2004-2514 in PowerPortal
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in modules/private_messages/index.php in PowerPortal 1.x allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) SUBJECT or (2) MESSAGE field.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/03/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2004-2514 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the PowerPortal content management system version 1.x, specifically affecting the private messages module. This security weakness resides in the modules/private_messages/index.php file where user input is not properly sanitized before being rendered back to other users. The vulnerability manifests when attackers exploit the SUBJECT and MESSAGE fields of private messaging functionality to inject malicious web scripts or HTML code. The flaw enables attackers to execute arbitrary code within the victim's browser context, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or unauthorized actions performed on behalf of the victim. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is one of the most prevalent and dangerous web application security flaws according to the CWE database.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker submits malicious input containing script tags or other HTML elements into either the SUBJECT or MESSAGE fields of the private messaging system. When another user views the compromised message, the injected code executes within their browser session, potentially stealing cookies, redirecting to malicious sites, or performing unauthorized actions. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects core messaging functionality that users interact with regularly, making successful exploitation more likely and impactful. Attackers can leverage this flaw to create persistent XSS payloads that remain active until the affected application is patched or the message is deleted.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it can enable attackers to establish persistent access to user accounts within the PowerPortal environment. When combined with other attack vectors, this XSS vulnerability can serve as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks including privilege escalation or data exfiltration. The attack surface is broad since any user with access to the private messaging system can potentially be targeted, and the vulnerability affects the entire user base that interacts with the messaging module. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1566.001 (Phishing) and T1059.007 (Scripting) techniques, as attackers can use the XSS to deliver malicious scripts and potentially gain access to user sessions. Organizations using PowerPortal 1.x are particularly vulnerable since this was a known issue in older versions of the software that lacked proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2004-2514 should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding measures within the PowerPortal application. The most effective immediate solution involves sanitizing all user inputs in the private messaging module by removing or encoding potentially dangerous characters such as angle brackets, script tags, and other HTML elements before storing or displaying them. Organizations should implement proper HTML escaping mechanisms and consider adopting Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to prevent execution of unauthorized scripts. Additionally, the PowerPortal 1.x platform should be upgraded to a supported version that includes proper XSS protection mechanisms, as this vulnerability represents a known weakness that has been addressed in subsequent releases. Regular security testing and input validation audits should be conducted to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in other parts of the application. The remediation process should also include user education about the risks of clicking suspicious links or messages within the application.