CVE-2005-3977 in Qualityppc
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in QualityEBiz Quality PPC 1553 allows remote attackers to inject web script or HTML via the REQ parameter to the search module.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/14/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-3977 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the QualityEBiz Quality PPC 1553 web application, specifically affecting the search module functionality. This security weakness enables malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of other users' browsers, thereby compromising the integrity and confidentiality of user interactions with the application. The vulnerability manifests through the improper sanitization of input parameters, particularly the REQ parameter that is processed by the search module, creating an avenue for attackers to inject malicious payloads that persist and execute when other users access the affected functionality.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate validation and sanitization of user-supplied input within the application's search functionality. When the REQ parameter is submitted to the search module without proper encoding or filtering, the web application fails to neutralize potentially dangerous characters and script sequences that could be interpreted by web browsers as executable code. This weakness aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting vulnerabilities arising from insufficient input validation and output encoding. The flaw exists at the application layer where user input flows directly into dynamic web content generation without appropriate security measures to prevent malicious script injection.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or session hijacking, as it can facilitate more sophisticated attacks such as credential harvesting, session manipulation, and the delivery of malware to unsuspecting users. An attacker could craft malicious search queries that, when executed by other users, would execute arbitrary JavaScript code within their browser context, potentially stealing cookies, redirecting traffic, or performing unauthorized actions on behalf of victims. This vulnerability undermines the trust model of web applications by allowing attackers to exploit the legitimate user interactions within the system, making it particularly dangerous in environments where multiple users access shared applications.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-3977 should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application's codebase. The most effective approach involves sanitizing all user-supplied input, particularly parameters like REQ, through proper encoding techniques such as HTML entity encoding, JavaScript escaping, and regular expression filtering to remove or neutralize potentially dangerous characters. Organizations should also implement Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to limit the sources from which scripts can be executed, along with regular security code reviews and automated input validation testing. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to established security frameworks such as those recommended by the Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP), which emphasizes the need for proper input validation and output encoding as fundamental defenses against XSS attacks. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and monitoring for unusual search query patterns can help detect potential exploitation attempts, while regular patch management ensures that known vulnerabilities are addressed promptly to maintain system security posture.