CVE-2005-1659 in MyServer
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in filemanager.cpp in MyServer 0.8 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary Javascript via a URL with a "..." (triple dot) followed by an onmouseover event.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/01/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-1659 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the MyServer 0.8 web server software, specifically affecting the filemanager.cpp component. This issue demonstrates how improper input validation can create dangerous pathways for malicious actors to execute arbitrary JavaScript code within the context of vulnerable web applications. The vulnerability arises from the server's failure to properly sanitize user-supplied input when processing URLs containing specially crafted triple dot sequences.
The technical exploitation mechanism involves constructing a malicious URL that contains a ". ." sequence followed by an onmouseover event handler, which the vulnerable MyServer software fails to properly filter or escape. This allows remote attackers to inject JavaScript code that executes in the victim's browser when the malicious page is loaded or when the file manager interface is accessed. The vulnerability specifically targets the file manager functionality, suggesting that the issue occurs during the rendering or processing of file listings where user-provided path information is incorporated into the web response without adequate sanitization.
From an operational perspective, this XSS vulnerability poses significant risks to user security and application integrity. An attacker could leverage this flaw to steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of users, redirect victims to malicious sites, or even escalate privileges within the web application. The impact extends beyond simple data theft as the vulnerability enables persistent attacks through stored XSS vectors where malicious scripts can be embedded in file names or paths and executed whenever users browse the affected directory. This type of vulnerability directly violates security principles established in the OWASP Top Ten and represents a clear violation of input validation best practices.
The vulnerability can be mapped to CWE-79 which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws in software applications. Additionally, this issue aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 - Exploitation for Client Execution, where adversaries leverage web application vulnerabilities to execute malicious code in user browsers. The attack vector demonstrates the classic pattern of injecting malicious scripts through web interfaces, which is commonly used in phishing campaigns and credential theft operations. Organizations using MyServer 0.8 should immediately implement input validation measures including proper escaping of user-supplied data, implementing Content Security Policy headers, and conducting thorough security reviews of all file handling components.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include implementing strict input validation for all URL parameters and file names, particularly those containing special characters or sequences that could be used for injection attacks. The server should escape or filter out potentially dangerous characters including angle brackets, quotes, and event handlers before incorporating user data into web responses. Additionally, organizations should deploy web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious URL patterns, implement proper output encoding for dynamic content, and ensure that all web applications are regularly updated with security patches. The vulnerability underscores the critical importance of input validation and output encoding in preventing XSS attacks, with remediation efforts focusing on both immediate code fixes and long-term security architecture improvements.