CVE-2005-2900 in CjLinkOut
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in top.php in CjLinkOut 1.0 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the 123 parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/11/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-2900 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the CjLinkOut 1.0 web application, specifically affecting the top.php script. This vulnerability classifies under CWE-79 which defines improper neutralization of input during web output, making it a fundamental web security weakness that has persisted across decades of web application development. The flaw manifests when the application fails to properly sanitize or validate user input received through the 123 parameter, allowing malicious actors to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content directly into the application's response. This type of vulnerability enables attackers to bypass standard security measures and execute malicious code within the context of a victim's browser session.
The technical implementation of this XSS vulnerability occurs at the input validation layer where the application processes the 123 parameter without adequate sanitization mechanisms. When a user submits data through this parameter, the application incorporates the input directly into the web page output without proper encoding or filtering of potentially malicious content. This creates an environment where attackers can embed script tags, javascript code, or other HTML elements that execute in the browser of unsuspecting users who visit the affected page. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that it affects a top-level script file, potentially allowing attackers to compromise the entire application interface or session management mechanisms.
Operationally, this vulnerability presents significant risks to both application integrity and user security. Attackers can leverage this flaw to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, deface web pages, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation can occur from any location without requiring physical access to the target system. Users who visit pages utilizing the vulnerable top.php script become unwitting participants in the attack, as their browsers execute the injected malicious code. This vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 which describes social engineering attacks through malicious web content, demonstrating how such flaws can serve as entry points for broader compromise operations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-2900 should focus on implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms. The most effective immediate solution involves sanitizing all user-supplied input through proper encoding before incorporating it into web page output. This includes implementing strict parameter validation that rejects or encodes potentially dangerous characters such as angle brackets, script tags, and other HTML elements. Organizations should also consider implementing Content Security Policy headers to limit the execution of inline scripts and restrict external resource loading. Additionally, the application should be updated to a patched version of CjLinkOut that addresses this specific vulnerability, as the original version appears to have been superseded by security-conscious releases. Regular security audits and input validation testing should be implemented to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components, particularly focusing on parameters that are directly reflected in web page output. The vulnerability underscores the critical importance of secure coding practices and input sanitization in web application development, as emphasized by industry standards such as the OWASP Top Ten and ISO 27001 security frameworks.