CVE-2005-4241 in VCD-db
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the category page in VCD-db 0.98 and earlier allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the batch parameter.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/27/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-4241 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the VCD-db 0.98 content management system, specifically affecting the category page functionality. This issue stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly process user-supplied data submitted through the batch parameter. The vulnerability classification aligns with 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 category. The flaw exists in the application's failure to implement proper output encoding or validation of parameters before incorporating them into dynamically generated web content, creating an exploitable vector for malicious code injection.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when remote attackers submit malicious payloads through the batch parameter on the category page, allowing arbitrary web scripts or HTML code to be executed within the context of other users' browsers. This occurs because the application directly incorporates user input into web page responses without adequate sanitization or encoding measures. The vulnerability demonstrates a clear lack of proper input validation controls that would normally filter or escape special characters that could be interpreted as HTML or JavaScript commands. Attackers can leverage this weakness to execute persistent XSS attacks, potentially stealing session cookies, defacing web pages, or redirecting users to malicious sites.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data integrity concerns, as it provides attackers with the capability to compromise user sessions and potentially gain unauthorized access to sensitive information. When exploited, the vulnerability enables attackers to inject malicious scripts that can execute in the victim's browser context, potentially leading to session hijacking, data theft, or further exploitation of the web application. The persistence of this vulnerability in VCD-db 0.98 and earlier versions indicates a fundamental flaw in the application's security architecture that was not addressed in the affected release cycle. This type of vulnerability directly impacts the availability and confidentiality of web applications by creating attack vectors that can be exploited across multiple user sessions, making it a critical concern for organizations relying on the affected software.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-4241 should focus on immediate implementation of input validation and output encoding mechanisms, with the most effective approaches following the principle of least privilege and defense in depth. Organizations should implement proper parameter validation that filters or escapes special characters in all user-supplied inputs, particularly those used in dynamic content generation. The recommended approach includes applying input sanitization techniques that neutralize potentially dangerous characters and implementing output encoding that converts special HTML characters to their entity equivalents before rendering user content. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing Content Security Policy (CSP) headers as an additional layer of protection against XSS attacks, as outlined in the ATT&CK framework's methodology for defending against web application vulnerabilities. The most effective long-term solution involves upgrading to a patched version of VCD-db that addresses this specific vulnerability, as the underlying architectural flaw requires comprehensive code review and security remediation rather than simple configuration changes.