CVE-2005-1233 in proFile
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in index.php in PHP Labs proFile allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) dir or (2) file parameters.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/21/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-1233 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the PHP Labs proFile application's index.php script. This security weakness specifically targets the handling of user-supplied input through two distinct parameter channels named dir and file. The vulnerability falls under the broader category of CWE-79 Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, which is a fundamental web application security concern that has persisted across decades of software development. The attack vector leverages the fact that the application fails to properly sanitize or escape user-provided data before incorporating it into dynamically generated web content, creating an opportunity for malicious actors to execute unauthorized scripts within the context of other users' browsers.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the proFile application processes the dir and file parameters without adequate input validation or output encoding mechanisms. When an attacker supplies malicious script code through either of these parameters, the application incorporates this unfiltered content directly into the HTML response sent to the victim's browser. This allows the injected script to execute within the victim's browser context, potentially enabling session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that it affects core navigation parameters that are commonly used in file browsing applications, making exploitation relatively straightforward and potentially widespread across systems utilizing this particular PHP application framework.
The operational implications of CVE-2005-1233 extend beyond simple script injection, as it provides attackers with a foothold for more sophisticated attacks within web application environments. According to ATT&CK framework category T1059.007 Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript, this vulnerability enables adversaries to leverage JavaScript execution capabilities for various malicious purposes including data exfiltration and user manipulation. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple systems utilizing PHP Labs proFile demonstrates how legacy applications often contain these fundamental security flaws that remain unpatched due to outdated maintenance practices. Organizations running affected systems face significant risk of unauthorized access and data compromise, particularly in environments where user interaction with file browsing functionality is common.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-1233 must focus on implementing proper input validation and output encoding practices. The most effective approach involves sanitizing all user-supplied input through strict parameter validation and applying appropriate HTML escaping before incorporating any dynamic content into web responses. This aligns with industry best practices outlined in OWASP Top Ten and the Secure Coding guidelines that emphasize the importance of input sanitization and output encoding as primary defenses against XSS vulnerabilities. Organizations should also consider implementing Content Security Policy headers to add an additional layer of protection against script injection attacks, while regular security audits and code reviews help identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components. The remediation process requires immediate patching of the affected application or implementation of proper input validation mechanisms to prevent the acceptance of malicious payloads through the vulnerable dir and file parameters.