CVE-2005-4285 in pdestore
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in pdestore.cgi in Dick Copits PDEstore 1.8 and earlier allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via (1) the search module parameter or the (2) product and (3) cart_id parameters.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/30/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-4285 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the PDEstore e-commerce platform version 1.8 and earlier. This vulnerability exists in the pdestore.cgi script which processes user input through multiple parameters including search module, product, and cart_id fields. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and output sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly escape or filter malicious script content submitted by remote attackers.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content into the application's response. When the vulnerable parameters are processed by the pdestore.cgi script, the injected content gets rendered in the user's browser without proper sanitization, creating a persistent XSS vector. Attackers can exploit this by crafting malicious payloads that leverage the search module parameter to inject script tags or other HTML elements that execute in the context of authenticated users' browsers.
This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-79 which defines Cross-Site Scripting as a weakness where untrusted data is sent to a web browser without proper validation or sanitization. The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable session hijacking, credential theft, and other malicious activities that compromise user accounts and system integrity. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that the vulnerability affects core e-commerce functionality including product browsing and shopping cart operations.
The security implications of CVE-2005-4285 align with ATT&CK technique T1531 which describes the use of malicious HTML content to compromise user sessions. This vulnerability provides attackers with the ability to execute code in the context of the victim's browser, potentially allowing them to access sensitive user data, modify shopping cart contents, or redirect users to malicious sites. The exploitation requires minimal privileges and can be automated, making it particularly dangerous in web applications where users trust the platform's integrity.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding for all user-supplied data. The application should employ proper HTML escaping mechanisms before rendering any user input in web pages. Additionally, developers should implement Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution and prevent unauthorized code injection. Regular security audits and input sanitization practices should be enforced throughout the application lifecycle to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in future versions. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of secure coding practices and input validation in web applications, particularly those handling user-generated content or transactional data.