CVE-2005-3761 in Exponent
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Exponent CMS 0.96.3 and later versions allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via (1) Javascript in forms produced by the form generator or (2) the parameters to the installer.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/13/2018
The CVE-2005-3761 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw discovered in Exponent CMS versions 0.96.3 and later, presenting significant security risks to web applications utilizing this content management system. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the CMS framework, specifically affecting two distinct attack vectors that exploit different components of the system. The flaw allows remote attackers to execute malicious scripts within the context of other users' browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, data theft, or unauthorized actions performed on behalf of victims.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through two primary pathways that demonstrate poor security practices in input handling. The first vector involves JavaScript injection within forms generated by the CMS form generator, where user-provided data is not properly sanitized before being rendered back to users. The second vector targets the installer parameters, indicating that even the installation process lacks adequate protection against malicious input. Both attack surfaces expose the underlying architectural weakness in the CMS's data sanitization protocols, where untrusted input flows directly into HTML output without proper encoding or validation. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in software applications, and demonstrates how insufficient input validation creates persistent security gaps across multiple system components.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, creating a comprehensive threat landscape for organizations using affected CMS versions. Attackers can leverage this flaw to steal user sessions, redirect victims to malicious websites, deface web pages, or harvest sensitive information from authenticated users. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation does not require local system access or privileged accounts, making it particularly dangerous for web applications handling user data. The vulnerability affects both the administrative interface and public-facing forms, potentially allowing attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive administrative functions or manipulate content in ways that could compromise the entire website's integrity. This exposure creates a significant risk for organizations that rely on Exponent CMS for their web presence, as the vulnerability can be exploited by anyone with access to the affected system.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-3761 should focus on immediate remediation through software updates and comprehensive input validation implementation. Organizations must upgrade to patched versions of Exponent CMS that address the specific XSS vulnerabilities in both the form generator and installer components. Additionally, implementing proper output encoding mechanisms, particularly using HTML entity encoding for all dynamic content, will help prevent script injection attacks. The security architecture should incorporate input validation at multiple layers, including client-side and server-side sanitization, to create defense-in-depth measures against similar vulnerabilities. Network monitoring and intrusion detection systems should be configured to identify suspicious patterns in form submissions and installer parameter usage. Organizations should also consider implementing content security policies to further restrict script execution and reduce the potential impact of successful XSS attacks. These measures align with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and script injection, emphasizing the importance of proper input validation and output encoding in preventing exploitation of such vulnerabilities.