CVE-2005-2557 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in view_all_set.php in Mantis 0.19.0a1 through 1.0.0a3 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the dir parameter, as identified by bug#0005959, and a different vulnerability than CVE-2005-3090.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/15/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-2557 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw discovered in the Mantis bug tracking system version 0.19.0a1 through 1.0.0a3. This vulnerability specifically affects the view_all_set.php script and manifests when the dir parameter is manipulated by an attacker. The issue falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is a fundamental web application security weakness that allows attackers to inject malicious client-side scripts into web pages viewed by other users. The vulnerability operates by failing to properly sanitize user input before rendering it within the web application's output, creating an avenue for malicious code execution in the context of the victim's browser session.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious URL containing crafted script code within the dir parameter of the view_all_set.php endpoint. When a victim accesses this specially crafted URL, the malicious script code gets executed within the victim's browser context, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites. This particular vulnerability differs from CVE-2005-3090, indicating that multiple XSS flaws existed within the Mantis system, each with distinct attack vectors and exploitation methods. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects a core administrative functionality of the bug tracking system, potentially allowing attackers to compromise user sessions and gain unauthorized access to sensitive project information.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it enables attackers to perform various malicious activities within the context of authenticated users. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to steal cookies, modify user permissions, or even inject persistent scripts that would affect all users accessing the vulnerable system. This creates a significant risk for organizations relying on Mantis for project management and bug tracking, as compromised user sessions could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive project data, code repositories, and confidential bug reports. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of the entire system, as it allows for arbitrary code execution in user browsers, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
Organizations should implement multiple layers of defense to mitigate this vulnerability, beginning with immediate patching of the Mantis system to versions that address this specific XSS flaw. Input validation and output encoding should be implemented at the application level to ensure that all user-supplied data is properly sanitized before being rendered in web pages. The principle of least privilege should be enforced, ensuring that users cannot inject malicious content through parameter manipulation. Additionally, web application firewalls and security monitoring systems should be configured to detect and block suspicious parameter values. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 which covers the use of malicious payloads delivered via web applications, and demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and output encoding practices as outlined in OWASP Top Ten security recommendations. Organizations should also consider implementing Content Security Policy headers to prevent unauthorized script execution and conduct regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in their web applications.