CVE-2005-1945 in Invision Community Blog
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the convert_highlite_words function in Invision Blog before 1.1.2 Final allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via double hex encoded highlight data.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/02/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-1945 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the Invision Blog software ecosystem, specifically targeting the convert_highlite_words function in versions prior to 1.1.2 Final. This issue arises from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly handle specially crafted malicious data payloads. The vulnerability exists in the software's text processing pipeline where highlight functionality is implemented, creating an attack vector that enables remote code execution through web script injection.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability relies on double hex encoding techniques to bypass standard input validation measures that would otherwise detect malicious script payloads. When a user submits content containing double hex encoded highlight data, the convert_highlite_words function processes this input without adequate sanitization, allowing the encoded script to be executed within the context of other users' browsers. This processing occurs during the rendering phase of blog content, where highlight data is converted into HTML markup without proper escaping or validation of the input parameters. The vulnerability specifically affects how the application handles highlight word conversion, creating a pathway for attackers to inject arbitrary HTML and JavaScript code that executes in the victim's browser context.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it enables attackers to perform session hijacking, steal sensitive user information, deface websites, and potentially escalate privileges within the application environment. Users who view affected blog posts become victims of the XSS attack, with their browser sessions potentially compromised through cookie theft or other client-side attacks. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of the application, as it allows unauthorized parties to manipulate content and potentially gain unauthorized access to user accounts. This type of vulnerability directly impacts the application's security posture and can lead to widespread compromise of user data and application integrity.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application's text processing pipeline. The most effective approach involves sanitizing all user input before it is processed or rendered, particularly within functions that handle highlight or formatting operations. Security measures should include implementing Content Security Policy headers to restrict script execution, employing proper HTML escaping techniques, and ensuring that all user-supplied data undergoes rigorous validation before being integrated into the application's output. Organizations should also implement regular security assessments and maintain up-to-date vulnerability management processes to identify and remediate similar issues. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and represents a common pattern of insecure input handling that falls under the ATT&CK technique of Web Shell for maintaining persistent access to compromised systems. The remediation process requires immediate patching of the affected software version and implementation of comprehensive input validation across all text processing functions within the application.