CVE-2005-3308 in Zomplog
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in Zomplog 3.4 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) name or (2) comment parameter in detail.php, (3) the username parameter in get.php, and (4) the search parameter in index.php.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/14/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-3308 represents a critical cross-site scripting weakness affecting Zomplog version 3.4, a web-based blogging platform that was prevalent during the mid-2000s era. This vulnerability class falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-79, which specifically addresses improper neutralization of input during web page generation, making it one of the most common and dangerous web application security flaws. The flaw manifests through four distinct attack vectors within different PHP scripts of the application, creating multiple pathways for malicious actors to exploit the system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when user-supplied data is directly incorporated into web page output without proper sanitization or encoding mechanisms. In detail.php, the name and comment parameters are processed without validation, allowing attackers to inject malicious scripts that execute in the context of other users' browsers. Similarly, get.php contains a username parameter vulnerability, while index.php exposes the search parameter to the same risk. These parameters are typically used for user interaction within the blogging platform, making them prime targets for exploitation since they represent natural entry points for user-generated content.
The operational impact of CVE-2005-3308 is severe and multifaceted, as it enables attackers to perform session hijacking, deface websites, steal sensitive user information, and potentially escalate privileges within the application. When victims browse pages containing malicious scripts injected through these parameters, the scripts execute in their browsers, potentially stealing cookies, redirecting to malicious sites, or modifying content displayed to users. The vulnerability affects the entire user base of the affected Zomplog installation, as any authenticated or unauthenticated user could become a victim depending on how the malicious content is delivered. This creates a particularly dangerous scenario for blog administrators who may not realize their systems have been compromised until malicious activity occurs.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-3308 require immediate implementation of proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms across all affected parameters. Organizations should implement strict sanitization of all user inputs, particularly those used in dynamic web page generation, and employ context-appropriate encoding techniques such as HTML entity encoding for output. The recommended approach aligns with the OWASP Top Ten security practices and ATT&CK framework's T1059.007 technique for command and scripting interpreter. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy headers, regular security audits, and application firewalls can provide defense-in-depth measures. The most effective long-term solution involves upgrading to patched versions of Zomplog or migrating to more secure, modern blogging platforms that have implemented robust security measures against such vulnerabilities.