CVE-2005-1909 in 602 Lan Suite
Summary
by MITRE
The web server control panel in 602LAN SUITE 2004 allows remote attackers to make it more difficult for the administrator to read portions of log files via a "</pre><!-" sequence in an HTTP GET request in the logon, possibly due to a cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/23/2017
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-1909 represents a significant security flaw within the 602LAN SUITE 2004 web server control panel that enables remote attackers to manipulate log file content through crafted HTTP GET requests. This issue specifically targets the authentication and logging mechanisms of the software, creating a condition where malicious actors can interfere with administrative log file readability. The vulnerability exploits a cross-site scripting weakness that allows attackers to inject malicious content into log files, thereby disrupting normal administrative operations and potentially masking their activities within the system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the insertion of a specific sequence "</pre><!-" into HTTP GET requests during the logon process. This particular payload is designed to manipulate how log files are rendered in web browsers, effectively corrupting the display of log information and making it difficult for administrators to properly review system activities. The flaw operates at the presentation layer where log data is formatted for web viewing, specifically targeting the preformatted text elements that are commonly used to display log content in web interfaces. This technique leverages the inherent trust placed in log files by administrators who expect to see clean, readable output without malicious interference.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple log file corruption, as it creates a potential vector for attackers to obscure their presence within the system while simultaneously creating confusion for legitimate administrators. When administrators attempt to review log files for security purposes, they may encounter malformed content that prevents them from properly analyzing system activity, potentially allowing malicious actors to operate undetected for extended periods. This vulnerability directly impacts the integrity of system auditing capabilities and can undermine the effectiveness of security monitoring procedures that rely on clean log file analysis. The attack scenario represents a form of log poisoning that can be particularly insidious because it targets the very tools administrators use to detect security breaches.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the web server control panel. The solution involves sanitizing all user input before processing or displaying it in log files, ensuring that HTML tags and special characters are properly escaped or removed. This approach aligns with established security practices such as those outlined in the CWE-79 category for cross-site scripting vulnerabilities, which emphasizes the importance of proper input validation and output encoding to prevent malicious code injection. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and authentication mechanisms can limit the scope of potential exploitation while regular security audits can help identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the system. Organizations should also consider implementing log file monitoring systems that can detect anomalous content patterns and alert administrators to potential manipulation attempts.