CVE-2005-2981 in Application Server
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Orion 1.3.8 and 1.4.5 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the URL, which is not properly quoted in the resulting 404 error page.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/06/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-2981 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw affecting the Orion web application versions 1.3.8 and 1.4.5. This security weakness resides in how the application handles malformed URLs and subsequently generates error responses, creating an avenue for malicious actors to execute arbitrary code within the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the application encounters a non-existent URL and displays a 404 error page that fails to properly sanitize or quote the URL parameter before rendering it in the error message. This oversight creates a direct path for attackers to inject malicious scripts that can be executed when other users view the error page, making it a server-side XSS vulnerability that operates without requiring user interaction beyond visiting the malicious URL.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability leverages the fundamental principle that web applications must properly escape or quote user-supplied input before incorporating it into dynamic HTML content. In this case, the Orion application fails to implement proper input sanitization mechanisms when constructing the 404 error page, allowing attackers to inject script tags or other malicious HTML elements directly into the URL parameter. When the application renders the error page, it directly inserts the unescaped URL parameter into the HTML output without appropriate encoding or escaping, creating a condition where any script tags or JavaScript code included in the URL will execute in the victim's browser context. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws and aligns with the broader category of insecure data handling practices in web applications.
The operational impact of CVE-2005-2981 extends beyond simple script execution, as it enables attackers to perform various malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, defacement of web pages, and redirection to malicious sites. When users encounter the 404 error page containing injected malicious code, their browsers execute the scripts in the context of the vulnerable application, potentially allowing attackers to steal session cookies or other sensitive information. The vulnerability's remote nature means attackers can exploit it from anywhere on the internet without requiring local access to the target system, making it particularly dangerous for publicly accessible web applications. Additionally, this flaw demonstrates poor input validation practices that can lead to broader security implications when combined with other vulnerabilities, as it provides attackers with a consistent method of injecting malicious content into the application's error handling mechanisms.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-2981 should focus on implementing proper input sanitization and output encoding practices throughout the application's error handling procedures. The most effective approach involves ensuring that all user-supplied input, particularly URL parameters, is properly escaped or encoded before being incorporated into any dynamic HTML content. This can be achieved through the implementation of proper HTML escaping functions or by using secure coding practices that automatically encode special characters in user input. Organizations should also consider implementing Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to limit the execution of inline scripts and other potentially dangerous content. The vulnerability highlights the importance of following secure coding guidelines and conducting thorough security testing, particularly focusing on error handling and input validation scenarios. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1566 which covers social engineering techniques, and T1059 which involves command and scripting interpreters, as attackers can leverage the XSS to execute malicious code and potentially gain further access to systems through the compromised user sessions.