CVE-2005-3047 in PhpMyFaq
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in PhpMyFaq 1.5.1 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) PMF_CONF[version] parameter to footer.php or (2) PMF_LANG[metaLanguage] to header.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/09/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-3047 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting PhpMyFaq version 1.5.1, specifically targeting the application's handling of user-supplied input in two distinct locations. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is classified as a fundamental web application security weakness that enables attackers to inject malicious client-side scripts into web pages viewed by other users. The flaw manifests in two primary attack vectors where the application fails to properly sanitize or escape user input before incorporating it into dynamic web page content.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of specific configuration parameters within the PhpMyFaq application framework. Attackers can exploit the PMF_CONF[version] parameter in footer.php and the PMF_LANG[metaLanguage] parameter in header.php to inject malicious script code. When these parameters are processed without adequate input validation or output encoding, the injected content becomes executable within the browser context of unsuspecting users. This allows attackers to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or defacement of the affected web application.
The operational impact of CVE-2005-3047 extends beyond simple script injection, creating a significant threat landscape for organizations relying on PhpMyFaq for database administration and web-based content management. The vulnerability enables attackers to establish persistent malicious presence within the application environment, potentially compromising user sessions and data integrity. Given that the affected parameters are part of the application's core configuration and language handling mechanisms, successful exploitation could lead to broader system compromise through session manipulation or privilege escalation attacks. The vulnerability affects the application's authentication and authorization mechanisms by allowing attackers to manipulate the user interface elements and potentially gain unauthorized access to administrative functions.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application. The most effective approach involves sanitizing all user-supplied input through proper escaping techniques before rendering any content in web pages. Security practitioners should implement the principle of least privilege by ensuring that configuration parameters are properly validated against expected input formats and ranges. Additionally, the application should employ Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to limit script execution and prevent unauthorized code injection. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious requests targeting these specific parameter injection points. Regular security audits and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other parts of the application, as this type of input handling flaw often indicates broader security gaps in the application's architecture. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input sanitization and output encoding as fundamental security practices that align with industry standards such as OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity frameworks for web application security.