CVE-2005-0476 in Hpm Guestbook.cgi
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in hpm_guestbook.cgi allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML by posting a message.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/23/2017
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-0476 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw in the hpm_guestbook.cgi web application component. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting vulnerabilities where insufficient input validation allows malicious actors to inject client-side scripts into web pages viewed by other users. The affected application appears to be a guestbook script that processes user submissions through the hpm_guestbook.cgi interface, creating a pathway for attackers to exploit the lack of proper sanitization mechanisms.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious message containing embedded script code and submits it through the guestbook form. The web application fails to properly sanitize or escape the input before displaying it to other users, allowing the injected HTML or JavaScript code to execute in the context of the victim's browser session. This creates a persistent threat where every user who views the compromised guestbook entry becomes a potential victim of the malicious payload, which could range from simple cookie theft to more sophisticated attacks like session hijacking or redirection to malicious sites.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it enables attackers to manipulate the user experience and potentially compromise the entire web application ecosystem. When users browse the guestbook, their browsers execute the malicious code, which can lead to unauthorized actions performed on their behalf, data exfiltration, or even complete browser compromise. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in environments where the guestbook is frequently accessed by multiple users, as it can quickly spread the malicious payload across a large user base. The attack vector is straightforward and requires minimal technical skill, making it a popular target for both skilled and novice attackers.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must focus on implementing robust input validation and output encoding mechanisms. The most effective approach involves sanitizing all user inputs before processing them, particularly when the content will be displayed in web pages. This includes implementing proper HTML escaping routines that convert special characters into their HTML entity equivalents, preventing script execution. Organizations should also consider implementing content security policies to limit the execution of inline scripts and other potentially dangerous content. Additionally, regular security audits and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components, as this type of flaw is commonly found in legacy web applications that have not been properly updated to follow modern security practices. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of following secure coding guidelines and implementing defense-in-depth strategies that protect against various attack vectors including those defined in the ATT&CK framework under the web application attack patterns.