CVE-2005-3085 in RSS Syndicator module
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in rss.php in Riverdark Studios RSS Syndicator module 2.1.7 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) forum or (2) topic parameters.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/27/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-3085 represents a critical cross-site scripting weakness in the Riverdark Studios RSS Syndicator module version 2.1.7. This security flaw resides within the rss.php script and affects web applications that utilize this particular module for syndicating rss feeds. The vulnerability manifests when user-supplied input is not properly sanitized before being rendered in web pages, creating an avenue for malicious actors to execute unauthorized scripts in the context of victim browsers. The specific parameters targeted are forum and topic, which suggests that the module fails to adequately validate or escape input data when processing these identifiers, allowing attackers to inject malicious code that persists in the application's output.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability operates under the well-known CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is classified as a critical weakness in web application security. The flaw enables attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML code through the vulnerable parameters, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or defacement of web content. The attack vector requires minimal privileges since it operates at the application layer, targeting the client-side execution environment where user browsers render content. The vulnerability's persistence stems from improper input validation mechanisms within the rss.php script, which fails to implement adequate sanitization or output encoding for the forum and topic parameters, making it susceptible to injection attacks that bypass standard security controls.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data corruption or unauthorized access. Attackers can exploit this weakness to manipulate user sessions, redirect victims to malicious websites, or execute persistent malicious scripts that compromise user browsers. The vulnerability affects not only the integrity of the RSS syndication functionality but also poses risks to the broader web application ecosystem that relies on the module. Given that this was a flaw in version 2.1.7, it represents a known security gap that existed for an extended period, potentially exposing numerous web applications to ongoing threats. The attack surface is particularly concerning because RSS feeds are commonly used across various platforms, making the exploitation impact more widespread than initially apparent.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms. The most effective remediation involves sanitizing all user-supplied input through strict validation processes that reject or escape potentially dangerous characters before they are processed or rendered in web pages. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide additional protection layers against script execution, while proper parameter validation should ensure that forum and topic identifiers conform to expected formats and do not contain malicious payloads. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious input patterns targeting this specific vulnerability. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other application components, particularly focusing on areas where user input is processed and displayed. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of keeping third-party modules updated, as the issue was present in version 2.1.7 and likely resolved in subsequent releases, highlighting the critical need for maintaining current security patches across all application components.