CVE-2005-1321 in Vaction
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Horde Vacation module before 2.2.2 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the parent s frame page title.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/08/2018
The CVE-2005-1321 vulnerability represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the Horde Vacation module, a component of the Horde web application framework widely used for email management and calendar services. This vulnerability specifically affects versions prior to 2.2.2 and resides in how the application handles input validation for the parent s frame page title parameter. The flaw allows remote attackers to inject malicious web script or HTML code through the title field, exploiting the application's failure to properly sanitize user-supplied input before rendering it within the web interface. The vulnerability manifests when the application displays the title of a parent frame page without adequate filtering or encoding of potentially malicious content, creating an avenue for attackers to execute arbitrary code in the context of the victim's browser session.
The technical implementation of this XSS vulnerability stems from improper input validation and output encoding practices within the Horde Vacation module's handling of frame page titles. When the application receives a title parameter that includes script tags or other malicious HTML content, it fails to sanitize this input before incorporating it into the dynamically generated web page. This creates a persistent cross-site scripting vector where attackers can craft malicious payloads that execute when other users view the affected page. The vulnerability operates at the presentation layer of the web application, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited through various attack vectors including email links, web forms, or direct URL manipulation. According to CWE standards, this maps directly to CWE-79, which categorizes improper neutralization of input during web page generation, and the vulnerability demonstrates characteristics consistent with CWE-80, representing the failure to properly encode output for web browsers. The attack can be classified under the ATT&CK framework as T1203 - Exploitation for Client Execution, specifically targeting the web browser as the attack surface.
The operational impact of CVE-2005-1321 extends beyond simple script injection, as it provides attackers with the capability to perform session hijacking, steal sensitive information, redirect users to malicious sites, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. When exploited successfully, the vulnerability enables attackers to manipulate the user interface of the affected application, potentially redirecting users to phishing sites or executing malicious scripts that can harvest cookies, session tokens, or personal information. The consequences are particularly severe in enterprise environments where the Horde Vacation module is commonly deployed for managing email vacation responses and calendar scheduling, as these applications often contain sensitive organizational data. The vulnerability affects not only individual users but can potentially compromise entire organizational systems if attackers leverage the XSS to gain access to administrative functions or sensitive data stored within the application. Organizations using affected versions of the Horde framework face significant risk of data breaches, unauthorized access, and potential system compromise through this persistent vulnerability.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-1321 focus on immediate patching of the affected Horde Vacation module to version 2.2.2 or later, which contains the necessary input validation and output encoding fixes. Organizations should also implement comprehensive input validation measures at multiple layers of the application architecture, including the implementation of proper HTML encoding for all user-supplied content before rendering it within web pages. The application should employ Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to limit the execution of inline scripts and restrict the sources from which scripts can be loaded. Additionally, security teams should conduct regular input validation testing and implement web application firewalls to detect and prevent malicious input patterns. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and following secure coding practices such as those recommended in the OWASP Top Ten and ISO/IEC 27001 standards. Organizations should also establish robust monitoring procedures to detect potential exploitation attempts and implement proper logging of user interactions with vulnerable components to facilitate forensic analysis in case of successful attacks.