CVE-2005-0961 in Application Framework
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Horde 3.0.4 before 3.0.4-RC2 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the parent frame title.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/06/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-0961 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw discovered in the Horde web application framework version 3.0.4 prior to the release candidate 2. This security weakness resides within the application's handling of user-supplied input in the parent frame title parameter, creating an avenue for malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of other users' browsers. The issue stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize data before rendering it in web pages, making it a classic example of an XSS vulnerability that violates fundamental web security principles.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts malicious input containing script tags or HTML elements and injects them into the parent frame title field. When other users access pages that display this compromised title, their browsers execute the injected code within their session context, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites. This particular variant demonstrates how web applications must rigorously validate and sanitize all user-provided data, especially parameters that are directly rendered in HTML output. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be classified under CWE-79 as Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, which is a core weakness in web application security that directly enables XSS attacks.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to organizations relying on the Horde framework for email, calendar, and collaboration services. The impact extends beyond simple script execution to potential full compromise of user sessions and data exposure. Attackers can leverage this flaw to steal session cookies, modify user preferences, or redirect victims to phishing sites that appear legitimate. The vulnerability's remote nature means attackers do not require physical access or privileged network positions to exploit it, making it particularly dangerous in shared hosting environments or multi-tenant applications where users may not trust each other's input. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for credential access through spearphishing attachments and T1059.001 for command and control through scripting, demonstrating how XSS vulnerabilities can serve as initial access vectors in broader attack chains.
Organizations must implement comprehensive mitigation strategies to address this vulnerability, beginning with immediate patching to version 3.0.4-RC2 or later where the issue has been resolved. The fix typically involves implementing proper input sanitization and output encoding mechanisms that escape special characters in user-supplied data before rendering it in web pages. Security measures should include content security policies that restrict script execution, implement proper input validation frameworks, and establish regular security testing procedures including automated scanning for XSS vulnerabilities. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious input patterns, and conduct regular security awareness training for administrators to prevent similar issues in custom applications built on the Horde framework. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of input validation in web applications and demonstrates how seemingly minor flaws in parameter handling can create significant security risks across entire user bases.