CVE-2005-4298 in AtlantForum
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in atl.cgi in AtlantForum 4.02 and earlier allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) sch_allsubct, (2) before, and (3) ct parameters.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/25/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-4298 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the atl.cgi component of AtlantForum version 4.02 and earlier systems. This weakness stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly filter malicious user-supplied data before incorporating it into web responses. The affected parameters sch_allsubct, before, and ct serve as primary attack vectors where unvalidated input can be injected into the application's output streams, potentially enabling attackers to execute arbitrary scripts in the context of victim browsers.
This vulnerability operates under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-79 which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws in web applications. The flaw manifests when the application processes user input through these three parameters without adequate sanitization measures, allowing malicious payloads to be stored or executed within the web application's response. The attack scenario involves remote adversaries who can craft malicious URLs containing script code that gets executed when legitimate users browse to affected pages, creating a persistent threat vector that can compromise user sessions and data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to perform session hijacking, steal sensitive information, manipulate user interfaces, and potentially redirect users to malicious sites. The affected AtlantForum software represents a web-based discussion platform where users interact through various parameters, making the attack surface particularly broad. When exploited, the XSS vulnerability can allow attackers to execute malicious scripts that persistently compromise user browsers, potentially leading to complete account takeovers and data exfiltration.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-4298 require immediate implementation of proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms. The most effective approach involves sanitizing all user-supplied input through strict validation routines that reject or escape potentially dangerous characters before processing. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy headers can provide an additional layer of protection by restricting script execution within the application context. Organizations should also consider upgrading to patched versions of AtlantForum, as this vulnerability was addressed in later releases through improved input sanitization and parameter handling. The remediation process should include thorough code review of the atl.cgi component to ensure all input parameters undergo proper validation before being incorporated into web responses, aligning with established security practices outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and other industry standards for web application security.