CVE-2005-4388 in CONTENS
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in search.cfm in CONTENS 3.0 and earlier allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the near parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/15/2018
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-4388 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the CONTENS content management system version 3.0 and earlier. This issue specifically affects the search.cfm component which processes user input through the near parameter, creating an avenue for malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of other users' browsers. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data before incorporating it into dynamic web content.
This vulnerability operates under the Common Weakness Enumeration framework as CWE-79, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws in web applications. The technical implementation involves the application failing to properly escape or encode special characters in the near parameter, allowing attackers to inject malicious payloads that get executed when other users view the search results page. The attack vector is particularly dangerous as it requires no authentication and can be executed remotely, making it a significant threat to web application security.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of users, redirect victims to malicious sites, or even establish persistent backdoors within the application. When exploited, this XSS vulnerability can compromise user privacy, facilitate credential theft, and potentially allow attackers to escalate privileges within the application. The widespread use of CONTENS 3.0 and earlier versions in enterprise environments amplifies the potential damage, as multiple users could be affected simultaneously.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding strategies. The most effective remediation involves sanitizing all user input through proper encoding mechanisms before rendering it in web pages, specifically targeting the near parameter in search.cfm. Organizations should also implement Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution, utilize secure coding practices for input handling, and consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious payloads. Additionally, regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components, following the ATT&CK framework's guidance for web application security controls.