CVE-2004-2741 in Application Framework
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the "help window" (help.php) in Horde Application Framework 2.2.6 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) module, (2) topic, or (3) module parameters.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/01/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-2741 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Horde Application Framework version 2.2.6, specifically affecting the help window functionality implemented through the help.php script. This issue arises from insufficient input validation and output sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly filter user-supplied data before rendering it within the web interface. The vulnerability impacts three distinct parameter vectors including module, topic, and module parameters, creating multiple attack surfaces for malicious actors seeking to exploit this weakness. The affected framework version demonstrates a classic lack of proper data sanitization practices that are fundamental to preventing XSS attacks in web applications.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when remote attackers provide malicious input through the specified parameters in the help window functionality. When the application processes these parameters without adequate sanitization, it renders the injected content directly into the web page context, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary scripts within the victim's browser session. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws in web applications. The attack vector enables threat actors to perform session hijacking, defacement of web pages, and potentially gain unauthorized access to user accounts by executing malicious code in the context of the victim's browser.
The operational impact of CVE-2004-2741 extends beyond simple script injection as it fundamentally compromises the integrity and security of the entire Horde application framework. Users interacting with the help window functionality become potential victims of phishing attacks, credential theft, and other malicious activities that can be executed through the injected scripts. The vulnerability affects the application's trust model by allowing untrusted input to be rendered as trusted content, thereby breaking the security boundaries that should exist between application components and user-provided data. This weakness can be leveraged to create persistent threats that maintain their effectiveness across multiple user sessions, making it particularly dangerous for web applications that rely on user authentication and session management.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application framework. The recommended approach involves sanitizing all user-provided parameters before processing them within the help window functionality, utilizing proper HTML escaping techniques, and implementing Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution. Additionally, developers should adopt secure coding practices that align with OWASP Top Ten recommendations and the ATT&CK framework's mitigation strategies for web application vulnerabilities. The most effective solution requires immediate patching of the affected Horde framework version, implementing proper parameter validation, and establishing robust input sanitization routines that prevent the injection of malicious scripts into the application's response. Organizations should also conduct thorough security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities within their web applications and establish defensive measures that prevent similar issues from occurring in future releases.