CVE-2005-2350 in websieve
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in websieve v0.62 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML code in the web user interface.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/01/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-2350 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the websieve v0.62 web application, classified under CWE-79 - Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation. This vulnerability exists in the web interface of the application where user input is not properly sanitized or validated before being rendered back to the browser. The websieve application, designed for email filtering and management, fails to implement adequate input validation mechanisms that would prevent malicious scripts from being executed within the context of authenticated user sessions.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when remote attackers can inject malicious HTML or JavaScript code through input fields that are processed by the application's web interface. This flaw allows attackers to bypass the normal security restrictions that separate the application's trusted environment from untrusted user input. The vulnerability specifically affects the web user interface component where user-supplied data is directly incorporated into web pages without proper encoding or sanitization. When legitimate users view pages containing this malicious content, their browsers execute the injected scripts, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data corruption or display issues, as it provides attackers with the ability to manipulate user sessions and potentially escalate privileges within the application. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in environments where the websieve application is used for email filtering, as attackers could inject scripts that steal email credentials or modify email content. The attack vector requires no special privileges or access to the server itself, making it a significant concern for organizations that rely on this application for email management. This vulnerability directly maps to attack techniques described in the ATT&CK framework under T1059 - Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1531 - Account Access Removal, as it enables unauthorized code execution and potential session manipulation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application. The recommended approach includes sanitizing all user input through proper encoding techniques such as HTML entity encoding, implementing Content Security Policy headers, and utilizing secure coding practices that prevent the direct inclusion of user-supplied data in web responses. Organizations should also consider upgrading to newer versions of the websieve application where this vulnerability has been addressed, as the original v0.62 version lacks proper security controls. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and regular security scanning can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation in web applications and aligns with security best practices outlined in OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity guidelines, emphasizing that all user input must be treated as potentially malicious and properly validated before processing or display.