CVE-2005-1599 in Subject Search Server
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Kryloff Technologies Subject Search Server (SSServer) 1.1 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the "Search For" field.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/24/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-1599 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the Kryloff Technologies Subject Search Server version 1.1, a web-based application designed for content searching and retrieval. This particular implementation suffers from inadequate input validation and output sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly handle user-supplied data, creating an exploitable condition that enables malicious actors to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content directly into the application's response. The vulnerability specifically manifests through the "Search For" field, which serves as the primary interface for user input and subsequently becomes the attack vector for executing malicious code within the context of other users' browsers.
The technical nature of this flaw aligns with CWE-79, which categorizes cross-site scripting vulnerabilities as weaknesses in web applications that allow attackers to inject client-side scripts into web pages viewed by other users. This particular vulnerability exists because the application does not adequately sanitize or encode user input before incorporating it into dynamically generated web content. When a user submits a search query through the "Search For" field, the application processes this input without proper validation, allowing malicious payloads to be stored or directly executed within the browser context of unsuspecting users who view the search results. The vulnerability demonstrates a failure in the application's security architecture to implement proper input filtering mechanisms and output encoding practices that would prevent such injection attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as it creates a persistent threat vector that can be exploited by attackers to perform various malicious activities. Remote attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary scripts in the context of other users' browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious websites. The attack requires minimal sophistication since it operates through standard web browser interactions, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited through various means including phishing emails, compromised websites, or social engineering campaigns that encourage users to interact with malicious search queries. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the web application by creating potential entry points for further exploitation and compromising user trust in the system's security.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-1599 should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms that prevent malicious scripts from being executed within the application's context. Organizations should ensure that all user-supplied input is properly sanitized using established security libraries and frameworks that can identify and neutralize potentially harmful content. The implementation of proper content security policies and the use of secure coding practices such as parameterized queries and HTML encoding for all dynamic content generation would significantly reduce the risk of exploitation. Additionally, regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities within the application's codebase. This vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566, which describes social engineering tactics that can be used to deliver malicious payloads through web-based interfaces, emphasizing the importance of both technical and user awareness-based defenses in protecting against such attacks.