CVE-2005-0381 in forumKIT
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in f.aspx in forumKIT 1.0 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the members parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/05/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-0381 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the forumKIT 1.0 web application, specifically affecting the f.aspx component. This issue falls under the broader category of web application security vulnerabilities that have persisted as critical threats in the cybersecurity landscape for over a decade. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding practices within the application's member parameter handling mechanism, creating an exploitable condition that allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content into the application's response. The affected forumKIT 1.0 platform fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input before rendering it within the web page context, thereby enabling attackers to manipulate the application's behavior and potentially compromise user sessions or access sensitive information.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious payload containing script code and passes it through the members parameter in the f.aspx request. When the vulnerable application processes this input without proper sanitization or encoding, the injected script executes within the context of other users' browsers who view the affected page. This type of vulnerability directly maps to CWE-79, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws in software applications. The operational impact extends beyond simple script execution, as attackers can leverage this weakness to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation practices and highlights the critical importance of implementing proper output encoding mechanisms to prevent malicious code from being executed in the browser context.
The security implications of this vulnerability are significant within the context of web application security and align with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, as it enables attackers to execute malicious scripts against unsuspecting users. Organizations running forumKIT 1.0 are particularly at risk since this vulnerability allows for persistent XSS attacks that can affect multiple users over time. The attack surface is expanded by the fact that the vulnerability exists in a forum application where users frequently interact with content, providing multiple opportunities for exploitation. Furthermore, the impact extends to potential data exfiltration and session hijacking attacks that could compromise user accounts and sensitive forum communications. The vulnerability represents a fundamental flaw in the application's security architecture, emphasizing the need for comprehensive input validation and output encoding strategies.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate implementation of proper input sanitization and output encoding mechanisms within the forumKIT 1.0 application. The most effective approach involves implementing strict validation of all user-supplied input parameters, particularly those used in dynamic content generation. Organizations should deploy content security policies and implement proper HTML encoding for all dynamic content rendered within the application. Additionally, the application should utilize parameterized queries and input validation frameworks to prevent malicious code injection. Security patches or updates from the vendor should be applied immediately, as this vulnerability has been known since 2005 and likely has documented remediation procedures. Regular security testing including dynamic application security testing and manual penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the application stack. The implementation of web application firewalls and security monitoring systems can provide additional protection layers against exploitation attempts and help detect suspicious activities targeting this and similar vulnerabilities.