CVE-2005-2590 in MindAlign
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Parlano MindAlign 5.0 and later versions allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unknown vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/10/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-2590 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting Parlano MindAlign versions 5.0 and later. This security weakness resides in the application's handling of user-supplied input data, creating an avenue for malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of affected users' browsers. The vulnerability's classification as a remote attack vector means that adversaries can exploit it without requiring physical access to the target system or direct interaction with the application's internal components.
Cross-site scripting vulnerabilities occur when web applications fail to properly validate or sanitize input data before incorporating it into dynamic web pages. In the case of CVE-2005-2590, the specific attack vectors remain unspecified in the original description, which is common for older vulnerability reports that lack detailed technical analysis. However, such vulnerabilities typically arise from insufficient input filtering mechanisms that allow malicious payloads to bypass security controls and execute within the victim's browser environment. The flaw essentially permits attackers to inject malicious code into web pages viewed by other users, potentially compromising their sessions, stealing sensitive information, or redirecting them to malicious sites.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or session hijacking. When exploited successfully, the XSS flaw could enable attackers to perform actions on behalf of authenticated users, manipulate application functionality, or establish persistent backdoors within the affected environment. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that Parlano MindAlign is a mind mapping and collaboration tool, meaning that the injected scripts could potentially access sensitive business information, intellectual property, or personal data stored within the application. Users who interact with the compromised system may unknowingly execute malicious code that can harvest cookies, redirect traffic, or even install additional malware on their systems.
From a cybersecurity framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications. The weakness represents a fundamental failure in input validation and output encoding practices that should be implemented according to established security standards. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under the 'Initial Access' phase, where adversaries establish footholds within target environments through web-based exploitation techniques. Organizations should consider implementing comprehensive input validation mechanisms, output encoding strategies, and regular security assessments to address similar vulnerabilities. The remediation approach typically involves implementing strict sanitization of user inputs, employing content security policies, and ensuring that all dynamic content is properly escaped before rendering in web interfaces. Additionally, regular security updates and patches should be applied to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities, while security awareness training can help users recognize potential indicators of XSS-based attacks.