CVE-2005-2689 in PostNuke
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in PostNuke 0.760-RC4b allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via (1) the moderate parameter to the Comments module or (2) htmltext parameter to html/user.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/27/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-2689 represents a critical security flaw in PostNuke version 0.760-RC4b that exposes the system to multiple cross-site scripting attacks. This vulnerability affects the Comments module and the html/user.php component, creating two distinct attack vectors that allow remote malicious actors to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML code into the application. The flaw stems from insufficient input validation and output sanitization mechanisms within the affected modules, enabling attackers to manipulate the application's behavior through crafted malicious payloads.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability manifests through two primary pathways that exploit the application's failure to properly sanitize user inputs. The first attack vector involves the moderate parameter within the Comments module, where unvalidated input allows attackers to inject malicious scripts that execute in the context of other users' browsers. The second vector targets the htmltext parameter in html/user.php, which similarly lacks adequate input filtering. Both pathways demonstrate the classic characteristics of XSS vulnerabilities as classified under CWE-79, which specifically addresses improper neutralization of input during web page generation. These vulnerabilities enable attackers to bypass the application's security controls and execute unauthorized code within the victim's browser environment.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it creates a persistent threat vector that can be exploited for various malicious activities. Attackers can leverage these XSS flaws to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious websites, deface the application's content, or even perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation does not require local system access, making it particularly dangerous for web applications. According to ATT&CK framework category T1059.002, this vulnerability enables an attacker to execute code in the context of the victim's browser, while T1566.001 highlights the exploitation of web application vulnerabilities as an initial access vector. The implications for system security are severe, as successful exploitation can lead to complete compromise of user sessions and potential data breaches.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-2689 must address the root causes of the input validation failures that enable these XSS attacks. The primary remediation involves implementing comprehensive input sanitization and output encoding mechanisms throughout the affected modules. All user-supplied inputs must undergo strict validation and sanitization before being processed or displayed, with special characters properly escaped or encoded to prevent script execution. The application should implement Content Security Policy headers to provide additional protection against script injection attacks. Security patches and updates should be applied immediately to upgrade to versions that address these vulnerabilities, as PostNuke 0.760-RC4b represents an outdated release that lacks modern security protections. Organizations should also implement web application firewalls to detect and block malicious input patterns, while conducting regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components. The remediation process should include thorough code reviews focused on input handling and output encoding practices to prevent similar issues from recurring in future development cycles.