CVE-2005-2204 in eTrust SiteMinder
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Computer Associates (CA) eTrust SiteMinder 5.5, when the "CSSChecking" parameter is set to "NO," allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) PASSWORD or (2) BUFFER parameters to smpwservicescgi.exe, (3) the TARGET parameter to login.fcc, and possibly other vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/30/2025
The CVE-2005-2204 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in Computer Associates eTrust SiteMinder 5.5 authentication system that fundamentally compromises web application security. This vulnerability exists within the authentication and session management framework of the software, specifically when the CSSChecking parameter is disabled, creating a dangerous condition where user input is not properly sanitized before being processed by the web server. The flaw affects multiple entry points within the authentication pipeline, including the smpwservicescgi.exe component and the login.fcc module, making it particularly dangerous as attackers can exploit various vectors to execute malicious code.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the web application's processing pipeline. When the CSSChecking parameter is set to "NO," the system disables critical security measures that would normally filter or escape potentially malicious content submitted through HTTP parameters. Attackers can leverage this by injecting malicious scripts through the PASSWORD, BUFFER, or TARGET parameters, which are then executed in the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability specifically targets the authentication and authorization components, where user credentials and session data are processed, creating a pathway for attackers to manipulate the authentication flow and potentially escalate privileges.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple script injection, as it enables attackers to perform session hijacking, credential theft, and privilege escalation attacks. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can execute arbitrary JavaScript code in the victim's browser, potentially stealing session cookies, redirecting users to malicious sites, or even modifying the application's behavior. The vulnerability affects the core authentication system, meaning that successful exploitation could allow unauthorized access to protected resources, data exfiltration, and complete compromise of the user's session within the protected environment. This creates a significant risk for organizations relying on eTrust SiteMinder for security controls, as the vulnerability undermines the fundamental trust model of the authentication system.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms across all user-facing parameters. Organizations should immediately enable CSSChecking functionality and ensure that all user inputs are properly sanitized before being processed by the web application. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers, proper HTML escaping, and input validation routines can help prevent malicious script execution. Additionally, regular security assessments of authentication systems, compliance with OWASP Top Ten security practices, and adherence to secure coding standards such as those outlined in CWE-79 (Cross-site Scripting) are essential for preventing similar vulnerabilities. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 (Application Layer Protocol: DNS) and T1566 (Phishing) as attackers can leverage the vulnerability to create malicious web pages that exploit user sessions. Organizations should also implement network segmentation, monitor for suspicious authentication attempts, and maintain up-to-date security patches for all authentication infrastructure components to prevent exploitation of such fundamental security flaws.