CVE-2005-4053 in coWiki
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in coWiki 0.3.4 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the q parameter, as demonstrated using 26.html.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/03/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-4053 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the coWiki 0.3.4 web application, classified under CWE-79 as "Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation." This vulnerability exists in the application's handling of user-supplied input through the q parameter, which is typically used for search functionality or query operations within wiki systems. The flaw enables remote attackers to inject malicious scripts or HTML content directly into the web application's response, creating a persistent security risk for all users interacting with the vulnerable system.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious URL containing script code within the q parameter, which is then processed by the coWiki application without proper input sanitization or output encoding. The demonstration using 26.html illustrates how a simple HTML payload can be executed within the context of a victim's browser session, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or unauthorized actions performed on behalf of the user. This type of injection vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be delivered through social engineering tactics, such as phishing emails or malicious links shared in forums, making it difficult to trace and prevent.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to establish persistent access to user sessions and potentially compromise the entire wiki system. When users navigate to malicious links containing the crafted payloads, their browsers execute the injected scripts, which can then access cookies, session tokens, or other sensitive information stored in the browser. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1531 for "Modify System Image" and T1059.007 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript," demonstrating how attackers can leverage client-side vulnerabilities to achieve broader system compromise.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-4053 should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the coWiki application. The most effective approach involves sanitizing all user-supplied input through proper encoding before rendering it in web pages, particularly targeting the q parameter and other user-controllable inputs. Organizations should also implement Content Security Policy headers to restrict script execution and employ web application firewalls to detect and block malicious payloads. Additionally, upgrading to a patched version of coWiki or migrating to a more secure wiki platform represents the most reliable long-term solution, as this vulnerability reflects a fundamental flaw in input handling that is common in legacy web applications. The vulnerability underscores the critical importance of following secure coding practices and input validation as outlined in OWASP Top 10 and the principle of defense in depth for web application security.