CVE-2005-4235 in WHMCompleteSolution
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in knowledgebase.php in WHMCompleteSolution 2.1 and earlier allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the search parameters.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/14/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-4235 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the WHMCompleteSolution 2.1 software suite, specifically affecting the knowledgebase.php component. This issue arises from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly filter user-supplied data before rendering it within web pages. The vulnerability exists in the search parameter handling functionality where malicious actors can craft specially crafted payloads that exploit the lack of proper HTML escaping and script validation. The affected system processes search queries without sufficient sanitization, allowing attackers to inject arbitrary JavaScript code or HTML content that executes in the context of other users' browsers.
This vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses improper neutralization of input during web page generation, making it a direct descendant of the well-known web application security weakness. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it enables remote code execution within user sessions, potentially allowing attackers to hijack user sessions, steal sensitive information, or perform unauthorized actions on behalf of victims. The flaw exists because the knowledgebase.php script directly incorporates user input from search parameters into dynamically generated web content without implementing appropriate output encoding or validation measures. The XSS vulnerability can be exploited through various methods including reflected XSS where the malicious payload is immediately reflected back to the user's browser, or stored XSS if the input is persisted in the application's database.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable sophisticated attack chains that leverage the compromised user sessions. Attackers can craft malicious search queries containing JavaScript payloads that, when executed in a victim's browser, can steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or even modify the content of the vulnerable application. The vulnerability affects all users of WHMCompleteSolution 2.1 and earlier versions, creating a widespread risk across organizations that rely on this knowledge base functionality for information management. According to ATT&CK framework category T1531, this vulnerability represents a technique for privilege escalation and data theft through web application exploitation, where adversaries can use XSS to gain access to sensitive user data and system resources.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-4235 must address both immediate remediation and long-term security improvements. The most effective approach involves implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms that sanitize all user-supplied data before it is processed or displayed. This includes using HTML entity encoding for all dynamic content, implementing Content Security Policy headers to restrict script execution, and employing regular expression validation to filter out potentially malicious input patterns. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block known XSS attack patterns, while ensuring that all web applications undergo regular security testing including automated vulnerability scanning and manual penetration testing. The remediation process requires updating to WHMCompleteSolution 2.2 or later versions where this vulnerability has been patched, as well as implementing proper security coding practices that prevent similar issues from occurring in future development cycles. Additionally, security awareness training for developers should emphasize the importance of input validation and output encoding to prevent such vulnerabilities from being introduced into web applications during the development phase.