CVE-2005-3966 in Java Search Engine
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in search.jsp in Java Search Engine (JSE) 0.9.34 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the q parameter.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/14/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-3966 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the Java Search Engine version 0.9.34 software. This particular implementation defect resides in the search.jsp component where user input is not properly sanitized or validated before being rendered back to the browser. The vulnerability specifically targets the q parameter which serves as the primary input field for search queries within the application's interface. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious payloads that contain embedded script code within the search parameter, thereby enabling the execution of unauthorized client-side code in the context of other users' browsers.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which categorizes cross-site scripting as a critical web application security weakness. The flaw operates under the principle that unvalidated user input is directly incorporated into web page output without proper encoding or sanitization mechanisms. When a victim accesses a maliciously crafted URL containing the XSS payload within the q parameter, the vulnerable application processes this input and reflects it back to the user's browser without appropriate HTML escaping or script sanitization. This creates an environment where malicious scripts can execute within the victim's browser context, potentially stealing session cookies, defacing web pages, or redirecting users to malicious sites.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, representing a significant threat to web application security and user privacy. Remote attackers can leverage this weakness to perform session hijacking attacks, where they capture valid session tokens to impersonate legitimate users and gain unauthorized access to protected resources. Additionally, the vulnerability enables more sophisticated attacks such as credential theft through keylogger scripts, data exfiltration, or the redirection of users to phishing sites designed to capture sensitive information. The persistent nature of this flaw means that any user interacting with the vulnerable search functionality becomes a potential target, making it particularly dangerous in environments where the application serves multiple users with varying privilege levels.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should encompass multiple layers of defense to protect against XSS attacks in web applications. The primary recommendation involves implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms that sanitize all user-supplied data before it is processed or rendered back to users. This includes applying HTML entity encoding to all dynamic content and implementing Content Security Policy headers to restrict script execution within the application context. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious script injection patterns. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation and output encoding practices as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten security framework, where XSS consistently ranks among the most prevalent web application security risks requiring immediate remediation. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components, ensuring comprehensive protection against client-side attack vectors that could compromise user sessions and sensitive data.