CVE-2005-2816 in Greymatter
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Greymatter allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via a post comment, which is recorded in a log file but not properly handled when the administrator uses "View Control Panel Log" to read the log file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/09/2019
The CVE-2005-2816 vulnerability represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw in the Greymatter content management system that demonstrates how seemingly innocuous logging mechanisms can become attack vectors. This vulnerability operates through a sophisticated chain where malicious actors craft specially formatted comments containing embedded javascript code or html markup. When these comments are submitted to the system, they are stored in log files without proper sanitization or encoding, creating a persistent threat vector that can be exploited during administrative log viewing activities.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding practices within the Greymatter application. When users submit comments through the blogging system, the application fails to properly escape or encode special characters that could be interpreted as executable code by web browsers. This weakness is particularly dangerous because it leverages the legitimate administrative function of viewing control panel logs, which typically contains sensitive system information and user interactions. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79 as a failure to sanitize user input before using it in web output, and it aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 for exploitation of web application vulnerabilities through client-side code injection.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with a means to compromise the entire administrative interface of the system. When administrators access the control panel log viewing function, their browsers execute the malicious code embedded within the stored comments, potentially allowing attackers to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or perform actions on behalf of the administrator. This creates a persistent threat that can affect multiple users over time, as the malicious scripts remain embedded in the log files until manually removed or the system is reset.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-2816 require comprehensive input sanitization and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application. Organizations should implement strict validation of all user-submitted content, particularly in comment and log fields, ensuring that all special characters are properly escaped before storage and rendering. The system must enforce proper encoding when displaying log contents to administrators, using techniques such as html entity encoding or javascript escaping to prevent code execution. Additionally, regular log file sanitization procedures should be implemented to remove potentially malicious content, and administrators should be trained to avoid viewing log files from untrusted sources. This vulnerability highlights the critical importance of secure coding practices and demonstrates how logging functions, often considered benign administrative tools, can become significant security risks when proper input validation is omitted. The remediation approach should align with security frameworks that emphasize defense in depth, ensuring that no single point of failure exists within the application's data handling pipeline.