CVE-2005-2435 in Website Baker
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in browse.php in Website Baker Project allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the dir parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/29/2017
The CVE-2005-2435 vulnerability represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the Website Baker content management system, specifically affecting the browse.php script. This vulnerability resides in the handling of user-supplied input through the dir parameter, creating a pathway for malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of other users' browsers. The issue stems from inadequate input validation and output sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly escape or filter potentially harmful content before processing user requests. The vulnerability operates under the Common Weakness Enumeration classification as CWE-79, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws in web applications. This weakness allows attackers to inject malicious code into web pages viewed by other users, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or defacement of web content. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it requires no authentication or privileged access, making it accessible to any remote attacker who can manipulate the dir parameter through URL manipulation or form submissions.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when a malicious user crafts a specially formatted URL containing script code within the dir parameter of the browse.php script. When a victim navigates to this maliciously crafted URL, the web application fails to properly sanitize the input, allowing the injected script to execute in the victim's browser context. This execution can occur in the victim's session, potentially enabling attackers to steal session cookies, modify page content, or redirect users to malicious websites. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple script injection as it can be leveraged for more sophisticated attacks including credential harvesting, data exfiltration, or establishing persistent backdoors within the compromised web application environment. The flaw demonstrates poor input validation practices and inadequate output encoding that violates fundamental web application security principles.
The operational impact of CVE-2005-2435 significantly affects Website Baker installations by creating potential entry points for attackers to compromise user sessions and manipulate web content. Organizations using this CMS are vulnerable to various attack scenarios including phishing attacks where users are redirected to malicious sites, session fixation attacks that allow attackers to hijack user sessions, or content defacement that can damage organizational reputation. The vulnerability's exploitation can lead to unauthorized access to administrative functions, data corruption, or the installation of malware on user systems through drive-by downloads. Security analysts categorize this vulnerability under the ATT&CK framework's T1059.007 technique for "Scripting" and T1566.001 for "Phishing", highlighting its role in both code injection and social engineering attack vectors. The long-term consequences include potential regulatory compliance issues, legal liability, and damage to user trust in the affected web applications.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-2435 require immediate implementation of input validation and output encoding measures within the Website Baker application. The most effective remediation involves implementing proper parameter sanitization techniques that validate all user input against approved character sets and length restrictions. Developers should employ output encoding mechanisms that transform potentially dangerous characters into their HTML-safe equivalents before rendering content. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide additional protection by restricting script execution sources and preventing unauthorized code injection. Organizations should also implement web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious input patterns targeting XSS vulnerabilities. Regular security audits and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components. The patching process requires updating the browse.php script to properly escape user-supplied input from the dir parameter and ensure that all dynamic content is rendered with appropriate security measures. System administrators must also monitor web server logs for suspicious URL patterns and implement proper access controls to limit the impact of potential exploitation attempts.