CVE-2005-4283 in The CITY Shop
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in The CITY Shop 1.3 and earlier allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via parameters to the search module, possibly SKey to store.cgi.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/04/2017
The CVE-2005-4283 vulnerability represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw that affected The CITY Shop version 1.3 and earlier implementations. This security weakness resides within the search module of the e-commerce platform, specifically targeting the SKey parameter processing within the store.cgi script. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly escape or filter user-supplied data before incorporating it into dynamically generated web content. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious script payloads in the search parameters, which then get executed in the context of other users' browsers when they view the affected search results.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of HTTP request parameters, particularly the SKey variable that is processed by the store.cgi script. When the application receives a request containing malicious input in this parameter, it fails to implement proper output encoding or validation measures before rendering the data within HTML contexts. This allows attackers to inject JavaScript code, HTML tags, or other malicious content that executes in the victim's browser. The vulnerability is classified as a reflected XSS attack since the malicious script is reflected back to users through the application's response without being stored on the server. This flaw directly aligns with CWE-79 which defines improper neutralization of input during web page generation, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to compromise user sessions or redirect victims to malicious websites.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as it can enable more sophisticated attack vectors within the broader context of web application security. Users who browse search results containing the malicious payloads may unknowingly execute scripts that can steal session cookies, redirect them to phishing sites, or perform unauthorized actions on their behalf. The vulnerability affects the entire user base that interacts with the search functionality, making it particularly dangerous for e-commerce platforms where user trust and session security are paramount. From an attacker's perspective, this vulnerability provides a low-effort entry point for conducting session hijacking attacks, credential theft, or spreading malware through infected web pages. The impact is further amplified by the fact that the vulnerability affects the core search functionality, which is likely accessed by numerous users on a regular basis.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-4283 should focus on implementing robust input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application's data handling pipeline. The most effective approach involves sanitizing all user-supplied input through proper escaping techniques before incorporating it into HTML contexts, particularly when rendering search results or other dynamic content. Implementing Content Security Policy headers can provide additional protection against script execution, while regular security audits should validate all input parameters for proper sanitization. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious patterns in HTTP requests. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of following secure coding practices as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and adheres to ATT&CK technique T1203 which covers exploitation of web application vulnerabilities. Patching the affected application to version 1.4 or later represents the most straightforward solution, as this update would incorporate proper input validation and output encoding measures to prevent the XSS injection. Security teams should also establish monitoring procedures to detect potential exploitation attempts and implement proper logging of search parameters to identify suspicious activities in real-time.