CVE-2005-1104 in Centra
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in Centra 7 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) username, (2) first name, or (3) last name fields.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/07/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-1104 represents a critical security flaw in Centra 7, a web-based content management system that was widely deployed in enterprise environments during the mid-2000s. This vulnerability manifests as multiple cross-site scripting flaws that specifically target user input fields within the application's authentication and user management interfaces. The affected parameters include username, first name, and last name fields, which are commonly used in user registration, profile management, and authentication processes. These fields represent prime targets for attackers seeking to exploit the application's insufficient input validation and output sanitization mechanisms. The vulnerability's classification as a cross-site scripting issue places it squarely within the scope of CWE-79, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting vulnerabilities in software applications. The implications of this flaw extend beyond simple data corruption, as it provides attackers with the capability to execute malicious scripts in the context of authenticated users' browsers, potentially leading to complete session hijacking and privilege escalation.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the injection of malicious JavaScript code or HTML content into the targeted input fields. When users browse pages that display the compromised user data, their browsers execute the injected scripts, creating a persistent threat vector that can be leveraged for various malicious activities. Attackers can craft payloads that redirect users to phishing sites, steal session cookies, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users without their knowledge. The vulnerability's persistence stems from the application's failure to properly sanitize user-supplied data before rendering it in web pages, a fundamental security principle that should be implemented at multiple layers of the application architecture. This flaw demonstrates a critical gap in the application's security posture, particularly regarding input validation and output encoding practices. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that these fields are often displayed in user interfaces where other users can view the information, creating a multi-layered attack surface that can be exploited by both external attackers and potentially internal threat actors who gain access to legitimate accounts.
The operational impact of CVE-2005-1104 extends far beyond simple data integrity concerns, as it creates opportunities for sophisticated attacks that can compromise entire user sessions and potentially lead to unauthorized access to sensitive organizational resources. When attackers successfully exploit these vulnerabilities, they can execute code in the browser context of authenticated users, potentially gaining access to confidential information, modifying user profiles, or performing unauthorized transactions. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires minimal technical expertise to exploit, making it a popular target for both skilled and unskilled attackers. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which covers the use of scripting languages for code execution, and represents a classic example of how insecure input handling can create persistent security risks. The vulnerability's exploitation can result in significant business disruption, data breaches, and compliance violations, particularly in environments where Centra 7 was used to manage sensitive corporate or customer data. Organizations that deployed this application were exposed to risks that could be exploited to establish persistent access points within their networks, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise environments with complex network architectures.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both the immediate security gap and implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding practices throughout the application. The primary remediation involves implementing strict input validation that filters and sanitizes all user-supplied data before it is processed or stored in the database. This includes implementing proper HTML entity encoding for all output that originates from user inputs, ensuring that any potentially malicious scripts are rendered harmless when displayed in web interfaces. Organizations should also implement Content Security Policy headers to prevent unauthorized script execution and establish proper session management controls to limit the impact of successful exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's resolution requires code-level changes that ensure all user input fields are properly validated and sanitized, with specific attention to the username, first name, and last name parameters. Additionally, regular security testing and code reviews should be implemented to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components, as this type of flaw often indicates broader security weaknesses in the application's architecture. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts and provide additional layers of protection against similar vulnerabilities that may be discovered in the future. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing to ensure that the implemented fixes do not introduce new functionality issues while maintaining the application's core business capabilities.