CVE-2005-2402 in PHPSiteSearch
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in search.php in PHPSiteSearch 1.7.7d allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the query parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/10/2018
The CVE-2005-2402 vulnerability represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw in the PHPSiteSearch 1.7.7d web application that fundamentally compromises user session integrity and application security. This vulnerability specifically targets the search.php script which processes user input through the query parameter, creating an avenue for malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output sanitization mechanisms within the application's search functionality, allowing attackers to inject malicious payloads that persist and execute when other users interact with the vulnerable system.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which categorizes cross-site scripting as a code injection flaw where untrusted data is improperly incorporated into web pages without proper validation or encoding. The attack vector operates through the query parameter in the search.php script, where user-supplied input flows directly into the application's output without adequate sanitization. This creates a persistent XSS vulnerability that can be leveraged to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. The vulnerability specifically affects the application's handling of search queries, where the system fails to properly escape or encode user input before rendering it in web pages, enabling attackers to inject HTML tags and JavaScript code that executes in the browser context of other users.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft to encompass complete session hijacking and potential privilege escalation within the application's context. When exploited, attackers can steal authentication cookies and session identifiers, allowing them to impersonate legitimate users and gain unauthorized access to sensitive application features. The vulnerability also enables redirection attacks where users are automatically forwarded to malicious domains, potentially leading to phishing campaigns or malware distribution. Additionally, the persistent nature of the vulnerability means that once exploited, malicious scripts can continue to execute against all subsequent users who access the affected search functionality, creating a continuous threat vector that remains active until the underlying code is patched.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including input validation and output encoding mechanisms that comply with OWASP secure coding practices. The recommended approach involves implementing proper HTML entity encoding for all user-supplied input before rendering it in web pages, utilizing frameworks that automatically escape output based on context, and implementing Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution. Security teams should also conduct comprehensive code reviews to identify similar input handling patterns throughout the application, as this vulnerability likely indicates broader security gaps in data sanitization practices. The remediation process should include updating to the latest version of PHPSiteSearch or implementing proper input validation libraries that prevent the injection of malicious scripts. Organizations must also consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block XSS attack patterns, while establishing regular security testing procedures including automated scanning and manual penetration testing to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components. This vulnerability serves as a critical reminder of the importance of input validation and output encoding in preventing client-side attacks that can compromise entire user bases and application security models.