CVE-2005-4355 in UStore
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in UStore allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) Cat parameter in default.asp and the (2) accessdenied parameter in admin/default.asp. 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 • 08/01/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-4355 represents a critical cross-site scripting vulnerability within the UStore web application, classified under CWE-79 which specifically addresses improper neutralization of input during web page generation. This vulnerability exists in the web application's handling of user-supplied input parameters, creating an attack surface that allows malicious actors to execute arbitrary JavaScript code within the context of a victim's browser session. The flaw manifests in two distinct locations within the application's codebase, specifically in the default.asp file where the Cat parameter is processed, and in the admin/default.asp file where the accessdenied parameter is handled, making this a widespread issue affecting both frontend and administrative interfaces of the application.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the UStore application. When the Cat parameter in default.asp processes user input without proper sanitization, or when the accessdenied parameter in admin/default.asp fails to encode output appropriately, attackers can inject malicious scripts that execute in the victim's browser. This occurs because the application directly incorporates user-supplied data into web pages without proper context-aware encoding, allowing attackers to inject HTML tags and JavaScript code that gets executed when other users view the affected pages. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be exploited through various attack vectors including crafted URLs, form submissions, or even social engineering techniques that prompt users to click malicious links.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as it creates a persistent threat vector that can be exploited for session hijacking, credential theft, and further lateral movement within affected networks. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent backdoors, steal session cookies, or redirect users to malicious sites that can harvest additional credentials or deploy malware. The administrative interface vulnerability in particular presents a serious concern as it could allow attackers to gain elevated privileges and compromise the entire application. According to ATT&CK framework category T1531, this vulnerability enables privilege escalation and credential access, while T1190 represents the initial access point through which attackers can establish their presence within the target environment.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-4355 should focus on implementing robust input validation and output encoding practices throughout the application's codebase. The primary defense mechanism involves sanitizing all user-supplied input parameters using proper encoding techniques such as HTML entity encoding for output rendering, and implementing strict input validation that rejects or removes potentially malicious content. Organizations should implement Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution and prevent unauthorized code injection. Additionally, regular security code reviews and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components, as this issue demonstrates the importance of consistent security practices throughout the entire software development lifecycle. The vulnerability also underscores the necessity of maintaining updated security patches and following secure coding guidelines that align with industry standards such as those established by OWASP and NIST for preventing cross-site scripting attacks.