CVE-2005-3066 in perldiver
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in perldiver.pl in PerlDiver 1.x allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the query string. NOTE: this issue was originally disputed by the vendor, but it has since been acknowledged.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/13/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-3066 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the PerlDiver 1.x web application framework. This type of vulnerability falls under the common weakness enumeration CWE-79 which specifically addresses improper neutralization of input during web page generation, making it a critical concern for web application security. The vulnerability exists in the perldiver.pl script which processes user input through the query string parameter, creating an avenue for malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of other users' browsers.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output sanitization within the PerlDiver application. When users submit queries through the web interface, the application fails to properly escape or filter special characters that could be interpreted as HTML or JavaScript code. This occurs because the application directly incorporates user-supplied data into dynamically generated web pages without appropriate sanitization measures. The query string parameter serves as the primary attack vector where an attacker can inject malicious payloads that persist in the application's output, potentially affecting all users who view the affected pages.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as it enables attackers to execute arbitrary code within the context of users' browsers. This capability allows for session hijacking, credential theft, and the potential for more sophisticated attacks such as phishing or malware distribution. The vulnerability affects all users of PerlDiver 1.x applications who are exposed to the affected perldiver.pl script, creating a widespread security risk across any deployment utilizing this framework. According to the ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, specifically targeting the web browser environment as a vector for code execution.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-3066 should focus on implementing robust input validation and output encoding mechanisms. Organizations should immediately upgrade to a patched version of PerlDiver if available, or implement proper sanitization of all user input before processing. The solution involves escaping special HTML characters such as < > & " ' in all user-supplied data before rendering it in web pages. This approach aligns with security best practices outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and follows the principle of least privilege for input handling. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy headers can provide an additional layer of defense against XSS attacks by restricting the sources from which scripts can be loaded and executed within the browser context.