CVE-2005-2523 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in Weblog Server in Mac OS X 10.4 to 10.4.2 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unknown vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/23/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-2523 represents a critical security flaw within the Weblog Server component of Mac OS X versions 10.4 through 10.4.2. This issue manifests as multiple cross-site scripting vulnerabilities that fundamentally compromise the security integrity of web applications hosted on affected systems. The vulnerability specifically affects the built-in weblog server functionality that was integrated into Apple's operating system, creating potential attack vectors that could be exploited by malicious actors without requiring local system access or authentication. These vulnerabilities arise from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the server's handling of user-supplied data, particularly in the context of web-based content management and blogging functionalities.
The technical flaw underlying CVE-2005-2523 stems from the Weblog Server's failure to properly sanitize or escape user-provided input before incorporating it into dynamically generated web pages. This weakness allows attackers to inject malicious scripts or HTML content through various unspecified vectors within the server's request handling process. The vulnerability's classification as cross-site scripting aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses improper neutralization of input during web page generation, making it susceptible to attacks that can execute arbitrary code in the context of the victim's browser. The attack vectors remain unspecified in the original description but typically involve manipulating parameters in web forms, URL parameters, or HTTP headers that are processed by the weblog server's content rendering mechanisms.
The operational impact of CVE-2005-2523 extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as successful exploitation can lead to complete session hijacking, credential theft, and the execution of malicious code within users' browsers. Attackers can leverage these vulnerabilities to redirect victims to malicious websites, steal cookies and session tokens, or inject persistent malicious content that affects all users interacting with the compromised weblog server. The implications are particularly severe given that Mac OS X 10.4 through 10.4.2 were widely deployed in enterprise environments where blogging and content management capabilities were commonly utilized. This vulnerability essentially transforms the weblog server from a legitimate content management tool into a potential attack platform that could be used to compromise entire user bases through social engineering or automated exploitation techniques.
Organizations affected by CVE-2005-2523 should implement immediate mitigations including disabling the Weblog Server component when not actively required, applying the latest security patches released by Apple, and implementing web application firewalls or content filtering mechanisms to detect and block suspicious script injections. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation and output encoding practices as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten security principles and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter. Security administrators should also consider implementing network segmentation to isolate web server components and establish robust monitoring procedures to detect anomalous script execution patterns. The incident underscores the necessity of regular security assessments and patch management procedures to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities in widely deployed operating system components.