CVE-2005-3837 in sCssBoard
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the search module in sCssBoard 1.2 and 1.12, and earlier versions, allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the search_term parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/30/2017
The cross-site scripting vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-3837 affects the sCssBoard content management system versions 1.2 and 1.12, along with earlier releases. This vulnerability resides within the search module of the application, representing a critical security flaw that enables malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of affected user sessions. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding practices within the search functionality, creating an avenue for attackers to inject malicious payloads through the search_term parameter.
The technical flaw manifests when the application fails to properly sanitize user input received through the search_term parameter before processing and displaying it back to users. This inadequate sanitization allows attackers to craft malicious input containing script tags or other HTML elements that get executed in the victim's browser when the search results are rendered. The vulnerability specifically maps to CWE-79 which defines improper neutralization of input during web page generation, making it a classic example of client-side script injection. The attack vector operates through a simple HTTP request containing malicious payload in the search_term field, which when processed by the vulnerable application gets reflected back to the user without proper encoding or validation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform session hijacking, steal sensitive cookies, redirect users to malicious websites, or even deface the affected web application. Users who perform searches on the vulnerable system become potential victims, as their browsers execute the injected scripts without proper security context. This vulnerability particularly affects web applications that rely on user-generated search queries and fail to implement proper input filtering mechanisms. The risk is amplified in environments where administrators or users have privileged access, as the injected scripts could potentially escalate privileges or access sensitive data.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-3837 should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application. The primary defense involves sanitizing all user input through proper encoding before processing and rendering it back to users, specifically employing HTML entity encoding for the search_term parameter. Organizations should implement a whitelist-based approach to input validation, rejecting any input containing potentially dangerous characters or script tags. Additionally, the application should employ Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to prevent execution of unauthorized scripts, and regular security audits should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components. The remediation process aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for scripting languages and T1566 for credential access, as attackers can leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access or escalate privileges through compromised user sessions. System administrators should also consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious search queries containing known malicious patterns, and ensure all versions of sCssBoard are updated to patched releases that address this specific vulnerability.