CVE-2005-4072 in Magic Forum Personal
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in CFMagic Magic Forum Personal 2.5 and earlier allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the Words parameter in search_forums.cfm, as used in the "Search For:" field.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/28/2017
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-4072 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw that exists within the CFMagic Magic Forum Personal 2.5 and earlier versions. This security weakness resides in the search functionality of the web application, specifically within the search_forums.cfm component where user input is processed without adequate sanitization or validation. The vulnerability manifests when attackers exploit the "Words" parameter that is utilized in the "Search For:" field, allowing malicious actors to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML code into the application's response.
The technical implementation of this XSS vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly escape or filter user-supplied input before rendering it within the web page context. When a user submits a search query through the vulnerable field, the application directly incorporates the provided input into the HTML output without appropriate encoding or validation measures. This creates an environment where malicious scripts can execute within the context of other users' browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or unauthorized actions performed on behalf of victims. The vulnerability specifically affects the search functionality, making it particularly dangerous as search fields are commonly used and trusted by users, often bypassing normal security scrutiny.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to both end users and the application administrators. Attackers can leverage this flaw to execute persistent XSS attacks by embedding malicious scripts in search terms that are then displayed to other users. The impact extends beyond simple script execution, as attackers can potentially steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or perform actions within the application with the privileges of the victim. Given that this affects a forum application, the potential for widespread exploitation increases as users frequently search and interact with the platform. The vulnerability's remote nature means attackers do not require local access or authentication to exploit it, making it particularly dangerous in publicly accessible applications.
The security implications of this vulnerability align with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting vulnerabilities in web applications. This weakness falls under the category of input validation and output encoding failures, where the application fails to properly sanitize user input before incorporating it into dynamic content. The attack vector follows typical XSS patterns described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the technique of web application attacks, specifically targeting the execution of malicious scripts in user browsers. Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement input validation measures, including proper HTML encoding of user-supplied data, and consider implementing Content Security Policy headers to mitigate potential exploitation. The recommended remediation includes upgrading to a patched version of CFMagic Magic Forum Personal or implementing proper input sanitization and output encoding mechanisms to prevent the injection of malicious scripts into the application's response. Additionally, security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual search patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts, and user education regarding suspicious search results should be considered as part of a comprehensive defense strategy.