CVE-2005-2339 in Unicode Msearch
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Unicode version of msearch (unicode-msearch) 1.51(U1)-beta1, 1.51(U1), and 1.52(U1) allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/26/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-2339 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Unicode version of msearch software, specifically affecting versions 1.51(U1)-beta1, 1.51(U1), and 1.52(U1). This vulnerability falls under the broader category of CWE-79 Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, which is a fundamental weakness in web application security that enables attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users. The issue stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the Unicode processing components of the msearch application, creating a pathway for remote code execution through web-based attacks.
The technical flaw manifests when the application fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input before incorporating it into dynamically generated web content. In this case, the Unicode version of msearch processes input through the unicode-msearch component, which does not adequately filter or escape special characters that could be interpreted as HTML or JavaScript code. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious input strings containing script tags, event handlers, or other malicious code that gets executed in the context of other users' browsers when they view the affected content. The unspecified vectors suggest that the vulnerability could be triggered through multiple input points within the application's user interface or data processing functions, making it particularly dangerous as it may be exploitable through various attack surfaces.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching for organizations utilizing affected versions of msearch. Remote attackers can leverage this weakness to execute arbitrary scripts in the browsers of unsuspecting users, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, defacement of web content, or redirection to malicious sites. The vulnerability creates a persistent threat vector that can be exploited without requiring user interaction beyond visiting a compromised web page, making it particularly dangerous in environments where the application serves as a gateway for user-generated content or search functionality. Organizations may face significant reputational damage, regulatory compliance issues, and potential legal ramifications from successful exploitation of this vulnerability.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-2339 should focus on immediate remediation through software updates and patches provided by the vendor, as well as implementing robust input validation and output encoding mechanisms. Organizations should deploy web application firewalls and content security policies to prevent malicious scripts from executing in user contexts. The implementation of proper input sanitization techniques, including HTML escaping and character encoding, can effectively neutralize the threat vector. Additionally, regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other applications and systems. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for initial access through malicious links and T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter for script-based attacks, highlighting the multi-layered nature of the threat and the importance of comprehensive security controls across all attack surfaces.