CVE-2005-1315 in Turba
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Horde Turba module before 1.2.5 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the parent s frame page title.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/06/2019
The CVE-2005-1315 vulnerability represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the Horde Turba address book module, a critical component of the Horde Groupware suite that was widely deployed in enterprise and organizational email environments. This vulnerability specifically affects versions prior to 1.2.5 and demonstrates a fundamental failure in input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the web application's user interface. The flaw manifests when the application fails to properly sanitize user-supplied data that appears in the parent s frame page title, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content that executes in the context of authenticated users' browsers. The vulnerability exists at the application layer where user input intended for display in the page title is not adequately filtered or escaped before being rendered in the browser.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability leverages the inherent trust users place in the application's interface elements, particularly the page title which is often displayed in browser tabs and bookmarks. Attackers can craft malicious payloads that, when processed by the vulnerable Turba module, get executed in the context of other users' sessions, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or data exfiltration. The vulnerability is classified as a reflected XSS attack since the malicious script is reflected off the web server back to the user's browser through the improperly sanitized page title parameter. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses Cross-site Scripting flaws, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for Initial Access through Spearphishing Attachment, as attackers could use this vulnerability to deliver malicious payloads through compromised email systems that utilize Horde Groupware. The attack vector typically involves sending malicious emails or web requests containing crafted payloads that, when processed by the vulnerable Turba module, execute in the victim's browser.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform session manipulation, steal sensitive information, or redirect users to malicious websites. In environments where Horde Groupware is used for email and collaboration services, this vulnerability creates a significant risk for organizations since the Turba module is often integrated with other Horde components such as IMP (Internet Messaging Program) for email access. The vulnerability can be particularly dangerous when users are authenticated to the system, as the malicious scripts can leverage existing session tokens and permissions to access sensitive data or perform actions on behalf of legitimate users. Organizations utilizing this vulnerable software may experience unauthorized data access, potential privilege escalation, and compromised user trust. The vulnerability's impact is amplified in large organizations where the Turba module serves as a central component of email infrastructure, potentially affecting hundreds or thousands of users who may be exposed to malicious payloads through various attack vectors including phishing emails or compromised web applications.
The recommended mitigations for CVE-2005-1315 involve immediate patching of the affected Horde Turba module to version 1.2.5 or later, which includes proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms. Organizations should implement comprehensive web application firewall rules to detect and block suspicious input patterns, particularly those containing script tags or common XSS payload indicators. Additionally, the implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide an additional layer of protection by restricting the sources from which scripts can be loaded and executed within the browser context. Regular security assessments and input validation reviews should be conducted to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in other components of the web application stack. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions and implementing robust security monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing user education programs to help identify potential phishing attempts that might leverage such vulnerabilities, while ensuring that all web applications undergo thorough security testing before deployment in production environments.