CVE-2005-0616 in PostNuke
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in the Download module for PostNuke 0.750 and 0.760-RC2 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) Program name, (2) File link, (3) Author name (4) Author e-mail address, (5) File size, (6) Version, or (7) Home page variables.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/07/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-0616 represents a critical cross-site scripting weakness affecting the Download module of PostNuke content management systems version 0.750 and 0.760-RC2. This flaw resides in the module's insufficient input validation mechanisms, allowing malicious actors to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML code through multiple user-controllable parameters within the download submission process. The vulnerability specifically impacts seven distinct variables including program name, file link, author name, author e-mail address, file size, version, and home page fields, creating multiple attack vectors for exploitation. The security implications are particularly severe as this affects the core functionality of the download module, which is commonly used for distributing software and files within web applications.
The technical flaw stems from the absence of proper sanitization and validation of user inputs before they are processed and displayed within the web interface. When users submit download information through the vulnerable module, the application fails to adequately filter or encode special characters that could be interpreted as executable code by web browsers. This lack of input sanitization directly violates security principles outlined in CWE-79, which addresses cross-site scripting vulnerabilities in web applications. The vulnerability operates by allowing attackers to inject malicious scripts that execute in the context of other users' browsers when they view the affected download listings, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it enables attackers to manipulate the entire download module functionality. When exploited, the XSS flaws can result in persistent malicious code execution, allowing attackers to perform actions such as stealing user sessions, modifying download listings, or redirecting users to phishing sites. The vulnerability affects the integrity of the entire PostNuke installation's download functionality, potentially compromising the trust users place in the software distribution process. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to deface download pages, inject malware delivery mechanisms, or create backdoors within the application's user interface. The widespread use of PostNuke 0.750 and 0.760-RC2 versions at the time of discovery meant that numerous websites were potentially exposed to this risk.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-0616 should focus on immediate input validation and output encoding implementations within the Download module. Security measures must include comprehensive sanitization of all user-controllable variables before they are processed or displayed, implementing proper HTML encoding for all output generated by the module. Organizations should also consider applying the official security patches released by PostNuke developers, as these would contain the necessary fixes to prevent the injection of malicious scripts. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls with XSS detection capabilities and regular security audits of the application's input handling mechanisms can provide layered protection against similar vulnerabilities. The remediation efforts should align with established security frameworks such as those outlined in the OWASP Top Ten Project, which emphasizes the importance of proper input validation and output encoding to prevent XSS attacks. Network monitoring and intrusion detection systems should also be configured to detect potential exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability pattern.