CVE-2005-0549 in Solaris AnswerBook2
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Solaris AnswerBook2 Documentation 1.4.4 and earlier allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the "View Log Files" function.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/04/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-0549 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Solaris AnswerBook2 Documentation software version 1.4.4 and earlier releases. This vulnerability specifically affects the "View Log Files" functionality, which serves as a user interface component designed to display system log information to administrators. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the web application's response handling, creating an avenue for malicious actors to execute unauthorized code within the context of a victim's browser session. The vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is classified as a persistent security weakness affecting web applications that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data before rendering it in web pages.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts malicious input containing script code and submits it through the vulnerable "View Log Files" interface. The application processes this input without proper sanitization, allowing the malicious code to be executed when the log data is displayed to authenticated users. This creates a persistent XSS vector where the injected scripts can perform actions such as stealing session cookies, redirecting users to malicious sites, or modifying the web page content to deceive users into revealing sensitive information. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where system administrators regularly access log files through the AnswerBook2 interface, as it can be leveraged to compromise administrative sessions and potentially escalate privileges within the solaris environment.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it can enable attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive system information and potentially compromise the entire solaris infrastructure. When system administrators view log files containing malicious scripts, their browser sessions become compromised, allowing attackers to execute commands with the privileges of the administrative user. This scenario creates a significant risk for organizations relying on Solaris AnswerBook2 for system documentation and troubleshooting, as the vulnerability can be exploited to establish persistent access to critical system information. The attack surface is further expanded due to the nature of log files which often contain system information, user credentials, and other sensitive data that could be exposed to unauthorized parties. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and script injection, as it allows for the execution of arbitrary code through web-based interfaces.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-0549 should focus on immediate patch application and input validation improvements. Organizations must upgrade to Solaris AnswerBook2 versions that address this vulnerability, as the original affected versions lack proper security controls. Implementing proper input sanitization and output encoding mechanisms within the web application's codebase is essential to prevent script injection. The system should employ strict validation of all user inputs, particularly those that are rendered in web pages, and implement context-aware output encoding to neutralize malicious content. Network segmentation and privilege separation can help limit the impact if exploitation occurs, while regular security assessments should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other web applications. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and content security policies can provide additional layers of protection against XSS attacks, ensuring that even if input validation fails, malicious scripts will be blocked before they can execute within user browsers.