CVE-2005-4238 in Mantis
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in view_filters_page.php in Mantis 1.0.0rc3 and earlier allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the target_field parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/14/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-4238 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw affecting Mantis version 1.0.0rc3 and earlier installations. This security weakness resides within the view_filters_page.php script, which processes user input without proper sanitization or validation mechanisms. The vulnerability specifically targets the target_field parameter, which serves as an entry point for malicious actors to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content into the application's response. Such flaws typically arise when web applications fail to properly escape or filter user-supplied data before rendering it in web pages, creating opportunities for attackers to execute malicious code within the context of other users' browsers.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability operates under the Common Weakness Enumeration framework as CWE-79, which categorizes it as "Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting')". The flaw demonstrates how insufficient input validation can lead to code execution in victim browsers, particularly when the application fails to implement proper output encoding or sanitization techniques. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious payloads that contain script tags or other HTML elements, which are then executed when legitimate users view the affected page. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers do not require local system access or authentication to exploit the flaw, making it particularly dangerous in web applications where users interact with dynamic content.
The operational impact of CVE-2005-4238 extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as it can enable attackers to perform session hijacking, redirect users to malicious sites, or harvest sensitive information from authenticated sessions. When users navigate to pages containing the vulnerable filter functionality, their browsers execute the injected scripts, potentially allowing attackers to steal cookies, modify page content, or redirect users to phishing sites. The vulnerability's presence in Mantis 1.0.0rc3 and earlier versions indicates a critical gap in the application's security architecture, as proper input validation and output sanitization should be fundamental components of any web application's defense mechanisms. This flaw can significantly compromise user trust and application integrity, particularly in environments where Mantis is used for issue tracking and collaboration.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding measures. Organizations should immediately upgrade to patched versions of Mantis where available, as the vulnerability affects older releases that likely lack proper security hardening. The recommended approach involves implementing strict parameter validation for the target_field input, ensuring that all user-supplied data is properly escaped before being rendered in web pages. Security practitioners should also consider implementing Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution and prevent unauthorized code injection. Additionally, regular security assessments and input validation testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components, as this flaw aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter, specifically focusing on script injection vulnerabilities that enable persistent threat actors to establish footholds within web applications.