CVE-2005-3850 in Okbsys Lite
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in search.asp in Online Knowledge Base System (OKBSYS) Lite Edition 1.0 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via hex-encoded values in the q parameter.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/26/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-3850 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Online Knowledge Base System Lite Edition version 1.0. This security weakness resides in the search.asp component of the web application, specifically targeting how the application processes user input through the q parameter. The vulnerability enables malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of other users' browsers, creating a significant risk for organizations relying on this knowledge base system for information management and sharing.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through hex-encoded values passed in the q parameter of the search.asp page. When the application fails to properly sanitize or encode user input before rendering it back to the browser, attackers can inject malicious scripts that execute in the context of legitimate users. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws in software applications. The flaw demonstrates a classic input validation failure where the application trusts user-provided data without adequate sanitization mechanisms, allowing attackers to bypass security controls designed to prevent malicious code execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, potentially enabling attackers to perform session hijacking, steal sensitive information, deface web pages, or redirect users to malicious websites. Since the vulnerability affects a knowledge base system, attackers could compromise the integrity of stored information, manipulate search results, or gain unauthorized access to confidential documentation. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation requires no local system access, making it particularly dangerous as attackers can target users from anywhere on the internet. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001, which covers the exploitation of web applications through malicious input injection.
Organizations utilizing OKBSYS Lite Edition 1.0 should implement immediate mitigations including input validation and output encoding for all user-provided parameters, particularly those used in search functionality. The recommended approach involves implementing proper HTML encoding of all dynamic content before rendering it in web pages, ensuring that any hex-encoded values are properly decoded and validated before processing. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy headers can provide an additional layer of protection against script execution. The vulnerability highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to OWASP Top Ten security guidelines, particularly those addressing input validation and output encoding. Organizations should also consider upgrading to newer versions of the software if available, as this vulnerability represents a known flaw that would likely be addressed in subsequent releases.