CVE-2005-4336 in ProjectForum
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in ProjectForum 4.7.0 and earlier allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) fwd parameter in admin/adminsignin.html and (2) originalpageid parameter in admin/newpage.html associated with a group.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/15/2018
This cross-site scripting vulnerability exists in ProjectForum version 4.7.0 and earlier, representing a critical security flaw that enables remote attackers to execute malicious scripts within the context of authenticated user sessions. The vulnerability manifests through two distinct attack vectors that target administrative interfaces, specifically the adminsignin.html and newpage.html pages. The first vector exploits the fwd parameter within the admin/adminsignin.html file, while the second targets the originalpageid parameter in admin/newpage.html, both of which are associated with group functionality within the application. These parameters fail to properly validate or sanitize user input, creating an environment where malicious actors can inject arbitrary HTML and script code that will execute in the browsers of unsuspecting administrators or users who access the affected pages.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding practices within the web application's administrative components. When the application processes the fwd and originalpageid parameters without proper sanitization, it allows attackers to embed malicious payloads that can be executed when the affected pages are rendered. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79 - Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, which specifically addresses the failure to properly encode or escape user-controllable data before including it in web page output. The attack requires minimal privileges since it targets the administrative interface, making it particularly dangerous as it can potentially allow attackers to escalate their privileges or gain unauthorized access to sensitive administrative functions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities within the compromised environment. An attacker could potentially steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, modify page content, or even execute commands on behalf of authenticated users. Given that this affects administrative pages, successful exploitation could lead to complete system compromise, allowing unauthorized access to sensitive data and administrative controls. The vulnerability's presence in the group-related functionality suggests potential impact on collaborative environments where multiple users share administrative privileges, amplifying the attack surface and potential damage.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application's administrative interfaces. The most effective immediate solution involves sanitizing all user-controllable parameters, particularly those used in URL redirection and page navigation contexts. Implementing proper HTML encoding for all dynamic content inserted into web pages, combined with strict input validation that rejects suspicious characters and patterns, would prevent the execution of malicious scripts. Organizations should also consider implementing Content Security Policy headers to add an additional layer of protection against XSS attacks. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 - Exploitation for Client Execution, which describes how attackers can leverage web application vulnerabilities to execute malicious code in the context of a victim's browser session. Regular security audits and input validation testing should be implemented to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in future versions of the software, while also ensuring that all parameters passed to administrative functions undergo proper sanitization before processing or rendering.