CVE-2005-4189 in Kronolith H3
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in Horde Kronolith H3 before 2.0.6 allow remote authenticated users to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via (1) the Calendar name field when creating calendars, (2) event title field when deleting events, the (3) Category and (4) Location search fields, and the (5) attendees email address fields when editing event attendees, and possibly other vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/29/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-4189 represents a significant cross-site scripting weakness affecting the Horde Kronolith H3 calendar application prior to version 2.0.6. This type of vulnerability falls under the common weakness enumeration CWE-79 which specifically addresses improper neutralization of input during web page generation in web applications. The flaw exists within the web application's handling of user-supplied data in multiple input fields, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content into the application's output. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects authenticated users, meaning that attackers must first gain legitimate access to the system, but once inside they can exploit these weaknesses to potentially compromise other users or the application itself.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability spans several distinct input vectors within the Kronolith calendar system. Attackers can exploit the flaw through the calendar name field during calendar creation, where malicious input can be stored and subsequently executed when other users view the calendar. Additionally, the event title field during event deletion operations presents another attack surface, as the application fails to properly sanitize user input before rendering it in web pages. The Category and Location search fields represent further opportunities for exploitation, while the attendees email address fields during event editing operations provide yet another pathway for attackers to inject malicious content. These vulnerabilities demonstrate a systemic lack of input validation and output sanitization across multiple components of the application's user interface.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable more sophisticated attacks within the context of the compromised application. An authenticated attacker could potentially redirect other users to malicious websites, steal session cookies, or execute malicious scripts that could compromise the entire calendar application or underlying system. The fact that multiple fields across different functionalities are affected suggests a fundamental flaw in the application's security architecture rather than isolated incidents. This vulnerability could facilitate attacks such as session hijacking, data theft, or even privilege escalation if the application's authentication mechanisms are compromised. The attack surface is particularly wide given that calendar applications often contain sensitive personal and business information, making the potential impact of such exploitation significant for both individual users and organizations.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output sanitization measures across all user-facing fields. The most effective immediate solution involves upgrading to version 2.0.6 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address these XSS vulnerabilities. Organizations should also implement proper content security policies, employ strict input validation routines that filter out potentially malicious characters and script tags, and ensure that all user-supplied data is properly escaped before being rendered in web pages. Additionally, implementing a web application firewall with XSS detection capabilities can provide an additional layer of protection. The remediation process should include thorough security testing of all input fields and validation of output rendering to prevent similar issues from recurring. This vulnerability highlights the importance of following secure coding practices as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and demonstrates how proper input sanitization and output encoding can prevent the exploitation of XSS vulnerabilities. Organizations should also consider implementing regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning to identify and address similar weaknesses in their web applications.