CVE-2005-3520 in MySource
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in MySource 2.14.0 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via (1) the target_url parameter in upgrade_in_progress_backend.php, (2) the stylesheet parameter in edit_table_cell_type_wysiwyg.php, and the bgcolor parameter in (3) insert_table.php, (4) edit_table_cell_props.php, (5) header.php, (6) edit_table_row_props.php, and (7) edit_table_props.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/24/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-3520 represents a critical cross-site scripting weakness affecting MySource 2.14.0 content management system. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms within multiple backend PHP scripts that handle user-supplied data. The flaw allows remote attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or unauthorized actions performed on behalf of victims. The vulnerability affects several core administrative functions including table editing, styling, and upgrade processes, making it particularly dangerous for system administrators who frequently interact with these components.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves multiple attack vectors that share a common pattern of insufficient sanitization of user input parameters. The target_url parameter in upgrade_in_progress_backend.php demonstrates how upgrade processes can become attack vectors when user-supplied URLs are not properly validated or escaped. Similarly, the stylesheet parameter in edit_table_cell_type_wysiwyg.php and bgcolor parameter across multiple table editing scripts reveal that the application fails to properly encode or validate input data before rendering it in HTML contexts. These parameters are directly incorporated into web responses without adequate sanitization, creating opportunities for attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code that executes in the context of other users' browsers.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it provides attackers with potential access to administrative functions and sensitive data within the MySource system. When administrators interact with compromised table editing interfaces, attackers can inject scripts that capture login credentials, modify content, or redirect users to malicious sites. The vulnerability affects multiple scripts across different functional areas of the application, indicating a systemic lack of input validation throughout the codebase. This widespread nature suggests that the development team did not implement consistent security measures across all user input handling components, creating multiple potential entry points for attackers.
Security mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms across all user-supplied parameters. The most effective approach involves applying strict whitelisting of acceptable input values and implementing proper HTML escaping for all dynamic content rendered to web browsers. Organizations should also consider implementing Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution capabilities and reduce the impact of successful XSS attacks. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and corresponds to techniques documented in the ATT&CK framework under T1059 for command and scripting interpreter and T1566 for credential access through social engineering. Regular security code reviews and automated input validation testing should be implemented to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in future versions of the application.