CVE-2005-4247 in Plogger
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in index.php in Plogger Beta 2 and earlier allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the searchterms parameter.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/26/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-4247 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw that existed within the Plogger content management system version 2.0 beta and earlier releases. This security weakness specifically affects the index.php script and manifests when the application fails to properly sanitize user input received through the searchterms parameter. The vulnerability classifies under CWE-79 which defines improper neutralization of input during web page generation, making it a direct descendant of the well-known OWASP Top Ten vulnerability category. The flaw enables malicious actors to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML code into web pages viewed by other users, creating a persistent threat vector that can be exploited across multiple sessions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the Plogger application processes search queries without adequate input validation or output encoding mechanisms. When users submit search terms through the search functionality, the system directly incorporates these parameters into the web page response without proper sanitization. This creates an environment where attackers can craft malicious payloads that execute within the context of other users' browsers. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it requires no authentication or privileged access, making it accessible to any remote attacker who can submit search queries to the vulnerable system. The vulnerability exists at the application layer and specifically targets the web interface rendering process where user input is integrated into dynamic HTML content without proper security controls.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, potentially enabling attackers to perform session hijacking, steal cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or even execute more sophisticated attacks such as credential theft. The persistent nature of XSS vulnerabilities means that once exploited, malicious scripts can remain active in the application's interface until the system is updated or the affected pages are refreshed. This vulnerability can be leveraged to compromise user sessions, especially if the application does not implement proper security headers or session management controls. The attack surface is particularly concerning for web applications that rely heavily on user-generated content or search functionality, as these features often become prime targets for exploitation due to their frequent interaction with external input sources.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-4247 must address both immediate remediation and long-term security hardening measures. The primary fix involves implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application's processing pipeline, specifically ensuring that all user-supplied data is sanitized before being rendered in web pages. Security practitioners should implement Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution and employ proper HTML encoding techniques when displaying user input. Additionally, organizations should conduct regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of their web applications, as this type of flaw often indicates broader input validation deficiencies. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of keeping web applications updated and following secure coding practices that align with industry standards such as those defined in the OWASP Secure Coding Practices and the NIST Cybersecurity Framework, which emphasize the need for input validation and output encoding as fundamental security controls.