CVE-2005-4091 in 1-Search
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in 1search.cgi in 1-Script 1-Search 1.8 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the q parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/25/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-4091 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the 1-Script 1-Search 1.8 web application. This issue specifically affects the 1search.cgi script which processes user input through the q parameter, creating an avenue for malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output sanitization mechanisms within the application's search functionality.
This XSS vulnerability operates under CWE-79 which categorizes improper neutralization of input during web page generation as a fundamental weakness in web application security. The flaw enables attackers to inject malicious payloads through the search query parameter, allowing them to manipulate the application's behavior and potentially steal user sessions, deface web pages, or redirect users to malicious sites. The vulnerability is classified as a reflected XSS attack since the malicious script is reflected back to the user through the application's response without being stored on the server.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can facilitate more sophisticated attacks within the context of the ATT&CK framework's initial access and persistence phases. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to establish a foothold in targeted environments, potentially using the compromised search functionality as a vector for delivering malware or conducting phishing attacks. The reflected nature of the attack means that victims must be tricked into clicking on malicious links containing the crafted payloads, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in social engineering scenarios.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-4091 should focus on implementing robust input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the 1-Script 1-Search application. The most effective approach involves sanitizing all user-supplied input through proper escaping of special characters and implementing Content Security Policy headers to prevent unauthorized script execution. Additionally, developers should employ parameterized queries and context-sensitive output encoding to ensure that any malicious input cannot be executed as code. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and regular security code reviews to identify similar vulnerabilities in legacy web applications. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation in web applications and serves as a reminder of the persistent nature of XSS threats in older software versions.