CVE-2005-3759 in Horde
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in Horde before 3.0.7 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) gzip/tar and (2) css MIME viewers, which do not filter or escape dangerous HTML when extracting and displaying attachments.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/18/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-3759 represents a critical cross-site scripting weakness affecting the Horde web-based application suite prior to version 3.0.7. This flaw resides in the MIME viewers functionality that handles gzip and tar archive processing as well as css file rendering, creating a pathway for remote attackers to execute malicious scripts within the context of affected users' browsers. The vulnerability specifically targets the lack of proper input sanitization and output escaping mechanisms when processing and displaying attachments, particularly those contained within compressed archives or css files. The affected components operate by extracting and rendering content from user-supplied attachments without adequate validation or sanitization, allowing attackers to embed malicious javascript code or html payloads that execute when users view these attachments through the vulnerable Horde interface.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which describes cross-site scripting flaws occurring when untrusted data is improperly incorporated into web pages without adequate validation or escaping. The flaw manifests in the MIME viewers' failure to implement proper security controls during the extraction and display process of compressed file contents. When the system processes gzip or tar archives containing malicious content, or when css files are rendered with insufficient sanitization, the dangerous HTML elements bypass security filters and execute within the victim's browser context. This creates a persistent threat vector where attackers can leverage the legitimate application functionality to deliver malicious payloads, potentially compromising user sessions, stealing sensitive information, or redirecting users to malicious sites.
The operational impact of CVE-2005-3759 extends beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with a method to establish persistent access to user accounts within the Horde environment. Users who view malicious attachments through the vulnerable application become potential victims of session hijacking, credential theft, or data exfiltration attacks. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where Horde is used for email and collaboration services, as it can be exploited through simple email attachments or shared file transfers. Attackers can craft malicious compressed files or css documents that appear legitimate, making detection and prevention challenging. The exploitability of this vulnerability is enhanced by the fact that it requires no special privileges or authentication, as the malicious code executes within the context of authenticated users' sessions.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-3759 should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output escaping mechanisms throughout the MIME processing pipeline. The most effective approach involves upgrading to Horde version 3.0.7 or later, which includes proper sanitization of content during attachment processing and display. Organizations should also implement strict content filtering policies that prevent the processing of suspicious file types or embedded scripts within compressed archives. Security measures should include the deployment of web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious script patterns, along with regular security audits of the MIME handling components. Additionally, user education regarding the dangers of opening untrusted attachments remains crucial, though this should complement technical controls rather than serve as the primary defense mechanism. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of implementing defense-in-depth strategies that address both application-level security controls and network-level protections, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1566 for initial access through malicious attachments and T1059 for execution through script-based attacks.