CVE-2005-4075 in Cf Nuke
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in index.cfm in CF_Nuke 4.6 and earlier allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) topic and (2) newsid parameter in the news sector, and (3) cat parameter in the links sector.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/10/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-4075 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the CF_Nuke content management system version 4.6 and earlier. This vulnerability exists in the index.cfm file and affects multiple functional sectors of the application, specifically targeting the news and links components. The flaw allows remote attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of other users' browsers, potentially leading to unauthorized actions and data theft. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-79 as a failure to sanitize user input, making it a classic example of insecure web application design that has persisted across numerous systems throughout the years.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the CF_Nuke application's parameter handling mechanisms. Attackers can exploit three distinct parameter injection points to deliver malicious payloads: the topic and newsid parameters within the news sector, and the cat parameter within the links sector. These parameters are directly incorporated into the application's response without proper sanitization, allowing attackers to inject arbitrary HTML and JavaScript code. The vulnerability manifests when user-supplied data flows directly into the web page output without appropriate encoding or filtering, creating an environment where malicious scripts can execute in the victim's browser context.
The operational impact of CVE-2005-4075 is significant and multifaceted, encompassing potential data breaches, session hijacking, and unauthorized administrative access. When exploited, the XSS vulnerability can enable attackers to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or inject persistent malicious content that affects all users of the compromised system. The vulnerability's reach extends beyond simple script execution, as it can be leveraged to perform actions such as modifying content, creating new user accounts, or accessing sensitive administrative functions. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous for content management systems where users may have elevated privileges or where the application handles sensitive data.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application. The most effective approach involves sanitizing all user-supplied input parameters before they are processed or displayed in web responses. This includes implementing proper HTML encoding for all dynamic content and utilizing parameterized queries or input validation libraries to prevent malicious code injection. Organizations should also consider implementing content security policies and regular security auditing of web applications to identify similar vulnerabilities. The remediation aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.005 for command and scripting interpreter and T1566.001 for credential access through social engineering, emphasizing the need for robust application security controls. Given the age of this vulnerability, the primary recommendation is to upgrade to supported versions of CF_Nuke or implement comprehensive input validation frameworks that address the root cause of the insecure parameter handling.