CVE-2004-2618 in Pegasi Web Server
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Pegasi Web Server (PWS) 0.2.2 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the URI, directly after the initial / (slash).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/29/2024
The CVE-2004-2618 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in the Pegasi Web Server version 0.2.2 that exposes web applications to remote code execution through malicious script injection. This vulnerability specifically targets the server's handling of Uniform Resource Identifiers where attackers can append malicious content directly after the initial forward slash character in the URL path. The flaw resides in the server's inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data before processing or rendering it within web responses. Such vulnerabilities fall under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is classified as a fundamental weakness in web application security where untrusted data is improperly incorporated into web pages served to users.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious URI that includes executable script code within the path component of the URL. When the vulnerable web server processes this request, it fails to properly escape or filter the injected script content, allowing the malicious code to execute within the context of the victim's browser session. This creates a persistent threat where any user who accesses the malicious URL will unknowingly execute the attacker's payload, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or further compromise of the affected web application. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by its location within the core URI parsing mechanism, making it particularly difficult to detect and prevent through conventional security measures.
The operational consequences of CVE-2004-2618 extend beyond simple script injection to encompass broader security implications for web application integrity and user data protection. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to steal sensitive information such as session cookies, personal identification data, or confidential business information from authenticated users. The attack vector is particularly insidious because it requires minimal user interaction beyond simply visiting a malicious website, making it a prime target for phishing campaigns and social engineering attacks. According to ATT&CK framework techniques, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript and T1566 for Phishing, as it enables attackers to deliver malicious JavaScript payloads that can persistently compromise user sessions and facilitate further exploitation of the web application environment.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term security architecture improvements. The most effective immediate solution involves implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms that sanitize all user-supplied data before processing, particularly within URI path components. Web application firewalls and security middleware should be deployed to filter and monitor for suspicious script injection patterns in URL paths. Additionally, organizations should implement proper HTTP headers including Content Security Policy (CSP) directives to limit script execution and prevent unauthorized code injection. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning to identify similar weaknesses in web server configurations. Security teams should establish monitoring protocols to detect anomalous URL patterns and implement automated patch management processes to ensure timely deployment of security updates for web server software components.