CVE-2005-4393 in e-publish
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in show.cfm in e-publish CMS 2.0 and earlier allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) obcatid and (2) comid parameters.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/31/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-4393 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the e-publish Content Management System version 2.0 and earlier. This vulnerability resides in the show.cfm component of the application, which serves as a primary interface for displaying content to end users. The flaw manifests when the application fails to properly sanitize user input parameters, specifically the obcatid and comid parameters, creating an avenue for malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability classification aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting vulnerabilities where insufficient input validation allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web applications.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of URL parameters that are directly processed by the show.cfm script without adequate sanitization measures. When users navigate to pages that utilize these parameters, the application incorporates the unsanitized input directly into the HTML output, thereby executing attacker-controlled code within the victim's browser context. This type of vulnerability enables attackers to perform various malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, data exfiltration, and redirection to malicious websites. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it requires no privileged access or authentication, making it a remote code execution vulnerability that can be exploited by anyone who can craft malicious URLs.
The operational impact of CVE-2005-4393 extends beyond simple script injection, as it fundamentally compromises the security posture of any website utilizing the vulnerable e-publish CMS. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to steal user sessions, modify content displayed to other users, or redirect them to phishing sites that appear legitimate. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of the web application, potentially leading to complete compromise of user accounts and sensitive data exposure. Organizations using this CMS version face significant risk of data breaches, reputational damage, and potential regulatory compliance violations. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple user sessions makes it particularly dangerous as the malicious scripts can execute each time affected pages are loaded, creating a continuous threat vector.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-4393 primarily focus on input validation and output encoding practices that align with established security frameworks. Organizations should immediately upgrade to a patched version of the e-publish CMS, as the vulnerability exists in versions 2.0 and earlier. The recommended approach involves implementing proper parameter sanitization where all user inputs are validated against expected formats and encoded before being rendered in HTML output. This defensive programming technique follows the principle of least privilege and input sanitization that is fundamental to preventing XSS attacks. Security controls should include implementing Content Security Policy headers, employing proper HTML escaping mechanisms, and conducting regular security testing including dynamic application security testing to identify similar vulnerabilities. The vulnerability's classification under ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for Phishing further emphasizes the importance of comprehensive security measures to prevent exploitation and maintain user trust in the application.