CVE-2004-2755 in Web Security
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Symantec Web Security 2.5, 3.0.0, and 3.0.1 before build 62 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the query string in blocked URLs that are listed in (1) error or (2) block page messages.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/09/2021
This cross-site scripting vulnerability exists within Symantec Web Security software versions 2.5, 3.0.0, and 3.0.1 prior to build 62, representing a critical security flaw that enables remote attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of affected web applications. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the software processes query strings in blocked URLs that appear in either error messages or block page notifications. This flaw falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is classified as a fundamental web application security weakness that allows attackers to inject client-side scripts into web pages viewed by other users. The vulnerability operates by failing to properly sanitize or encode user-supplied input before rendering it within web page content, creating an opening for malicious actors to inject harmful scripts that can execute in the victim's browser context.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it enables attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, and redirection to malicious sites. When users encounter blocked URLs in the software's error or block page messages, the query string parameters are directly embedded into the web page without proper input validation or output encoding, creating a persistent vector for attack. Attackers can craft malicious URLs with specially formatted query parameters that, when processed by the vulnerable Symantec software, will execute arbitrary JavaScript code in the victim's browser. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript, as it allows for the execution of malicious JavaScript code through web-based interfaces. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it leverages the legitimate error reporting functionality of the web security software, making it more likely to be encountered by users who are already browsing potentially malicious sites.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper input sanitization and output encoding mechanisms within the affected Symantec Web Security software. Organizations should immediately update to patched versions of the software, as Symantec would have released security updates addressing this specific XSS flaw. The remediation process involves ensuring that all user-supplied input, particularly query string parameters in URL handling, undergoes proper validation and encoding before being rendered in web page contexts. Security practitioners should also implement additional protective measures such as Content Security Policy headers, input validation at multiple layers, and regular security assessments of web applications. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation in security software, as the error handling and URL blocking features are essential components that must not introduce new attack vectors. Organizations should conduct comprehensive security testing of their web security infrastructure to identify similar vulnerabilities and ensure that security tools do not become attack platforms themselves. The flaw serves as a reminder that even security-focused applications must adhere to fundamental web security principles and that proper security testing should be integrated into all phases of software development and deployment.