CVE-2005-4295 in Absolute Image Gallery XE
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Absolute Image Gallery XE 2.x allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the text parameter. NOTE: the provenance of this information is unknown; the details are obtained solely from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/05/2017
The CVE-2005-4295 vulnerability represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw in the Absolute Image Gallery XE 2.x web application, demonstrating a critical weakness in input validation and output encoding mechanisms. This vulnerability specifically targets the text parameter within the gallery system, creating an exploitable condition where malicious actors can inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content directly into the application's response. The flaw exists at the application layer where user-supplied input is not properly sanitized or encoded before being rendered back to users, allowing attackers to execute malicious code within the context of other users' browsers.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which categorizes cross-site scripting as a code injection flaw where untrusted data is incorporated into web pages without proper validation or encoding. The attack vector operates through the text parameter, which likely serves as an input field for captions, descriptions, or other user-generated content within the image gallery interface. When this parameter receives malicious input containing script tags or other HTML elements, the vulnerable application fails to properly escape or filter these inputs before displaying them to end users, resulting in the execution of unauthorized scripts in the victim's browser context. This weakness enables attackers to perform various malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data corruption or display issues, as it fundamentally compromises the security model of the web application. Users who view affected gallery pages become potential victims of persistent XSS attacks, where malicious scripts can persistently execute within their browser sessions. This creates a significant risk for organizations relying on the gallery for content management, as attackers can exploit the vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to user sessions, modify gallery content, or redirect users to phishing sites. The attack requires minimal technical expertise and can be executed through simple parameter manipulation, making it particularly dangerous for widespread exploitation. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1566.001 (Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment) and T1059.007 (Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript) as attackers can leverage the XSS to deliver malicious JavaScript payloads and establish persistent access.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-4295 must focus on implementing robust input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application. The primary defense involves sanitizing all user-supplied input, particularly the text parameter, by implementing proper HTML entity encoding before rendering content to users. This approach aligns with OWASP Top Ten recommendations for preventing XSS vulnerabilities and ensures that any potentially malicious script content is rendered harmless when displayed. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy (CSP) headers can provide an additional layer of protection by restricting the sources from which scripts can be loaded and executed. Organizations should also consider implementing proper input length restrictions and regular security audits to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of input validation in web applications and the necessity of following secure coding practices to prevent such fundamental security flaws from persisting in production systems.