CVE-2005-1483 in ArticleLive
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in ArticleLive 2005 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) Query, (2) Username, (3) LastName, (4) Biography, or (5) BlogId parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/02/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-1483 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting ArticleLive 2005 software, which falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting. This vulnerability exposes the application to remote code execution through malicious script injection attacks that can be delivered via multiple input parameters. The affected parameters include Query, Username, LastName, Biography, and BlogId, all of which are processed without adequate input sanitization or output encoding mechanisms. These vulnerabilities enable attackers to inject malicious scripts that execute in the context of other users' browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or data manipulation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly validate and sanitize user-supplied input across multiple data entry points. When users submit data through these parameters, the application stores and displays this information without appropriate security measures such as HTML escaping or input validation. This creates an environment where malicious actors can embed script tags or other executable code that gets rendered in the browser context of legitimate users. The impact is particularly severe because these parameters are likely used in various application functions including search queries, user profiles, and blog content management systems. Attackers can exploit these vulnerabilities by crafting malicious payloads that exploit the lack of proper input sanitization, potentially leading to full compromise of user sessions and data integrity.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it creates a persistent threat vector that can be leveraged for sophisticated attacks. According to ATT&CK framework techniques, this vulnerability aligns with T1059.007 for scripting and T1531 for implantation of malicious code. The attack surface is broad given that multiple input parameters are affected, increasing the likelihood of successful exploitation. Users who interact with the affected application may unknowingly execute malicious code that can steal cookies, redirect to malicious sites, or perform actions on their behalf. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it affects core application functionality including user authentication and content management features, potentially allowing attackers to escalate privileges or gain unauthorized access to sensitive data.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of comprehensive input validation and output encoding measures. Organizations should deploy proper HTML escaping mechanisms for all user-supplied content, implement strict input validation rules, and utilize parameterized queries where applicable. Security measures should include regular security assessments, web application firewalls, and proper code review processes to identify similar vulnerabilities. The remediation approach must address the root cause by ensuring that all user input is properly sanitized before processing, and that output encoding is implemented consistently across all application components. Additionally, regular security training for developers and implementation of secure coding practices should be enforced to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in future versions of the application.