CVE-2005-3306 in FlatNuke
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in index.php for FlatNuke 2.5.6 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the user parameter in a profile operation, a different vulnerability than CVE-2005-2814. NOTE: it is possible that this XSS is a resultant vulnerability of CVE-2005-3307.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/12/2018
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-3306 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the FlatNuke content management system version 2.5.6. This security weakness specifically targets the index.php file and manifests during profile operations when the user parameter is processed. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and demonstrates how improper input validation can lead to serious security implications for web applications. FlatNuke, being a web-based content management system, processes user inputs to display profile information, making it susceptible to malicious script injection attacks that can compromise user sessions and data integrity.
The technical flaw stems from insufficient sanitization of the user parameter within the profile operation context. When attackers supply malicious input through this parameter, the application fails to properly encode or validate the data before rendering it in web pages. This allows attackers to inject arbitrary HTML or JavaScript code that executes in the context of other users' browsers who view the affected profile pages. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-79 as a failure to sanitize input, which directly enables XSS attacks. The attack vector operates through web browsers where the malicious code executes, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites. This particular vulnerability is distinct from CVE-2005-2814, indicating separate code paths or processing mechanisms within the application that each contain XSS weaknesses.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data corruption or display issues. When exploited, attackers can manipulate user sessions, steal sensitive information, or redirect users to phishing sites that appear legitimate. The attack requires minimal privileges and can be executed through simple web requests, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users trust the application's profile display functionality. Users who view compromised profile pages become victims of the attack, with their browsers executing the injected malicious code. The potential for credential theft or session manipulation makes this vulnerability particularly concerning for applications handling sensitive user data. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1531 - Credential Access through the potential for session hijacking and credential theft, and T1203 - Exploitation for Credential Access as attackers can use the XSS to capture user credentials.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-3306 should focus on implementing robust input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application. The most effective approach involves sanitizing all user-supplied input before processing or displaying it in web contexts, using proper HTML entity encoding for output rendering. Application developers should implement Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution and prevent unauthorized code injection. The system should also employ proper input validation routines that reject or sanitize potentially malicious characters such as script tags, javascript protocols, and other XSS payload indicators. Additionally, implementing proper session management and authentication mechanisms can help limit the damage if an attack is successful. Security patches for FlatNuke version 2.5.6 should be applied immediately, and organizations should consider upgrading to newer versions of the CMS that have addressed these vulnerabilities. Regular security testing including dynamic application security testing and manual code reviews can help identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the application stack. The vulnerability's relationship to CVE-2005-3307 suggests that multiple XSS flaws may exist within the same application version, warranting comprehensive security auditing of the entire codebase to identify and remediate related weaknesses.