CVE-2005-4394 in EPiX
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in EPiX 3.1.2 and earlier allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified search query parameters.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/15/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-4394 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within EPiX content management system versions 3.1.2 and earlier. This security weakness resides in the application's handling of search query parameters, where user input is not properly sanitized or validated before being rendered in web responses. The flaw enables remote attackers to inject malicious scripts or HTML code through unspecified search query parameters, potentially compromising user sessions and data integrity. The vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is a fundamental web application security concern that has persisted across decades of software development. This particular implementation demonstrates how search functionality can become a vector for malicious code injection when proper input validation mechanisms are absent.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts malicious search queries containing script tags or other HTML elements that get executed in the context of other users' browsers. Since the vulnerability affects search query parameters specifically, attackers can manipulate the search functionality to deliver payloads that persist across user sessions or are triggered by legitimate search operations. The impact extends beyond simple script execution to include potential session hijacking, credential theft, and data exfiltration. Attackers may leverage this vulnerability to redirect users to malicious sites, steal cookies, or inject additional malicious code that can compromise the entire user experience. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers do not require physical access to the system or local network privileges to exploit the flaw, making it particularly dangerous in public-facing web applications.
The operational impact of CVE-2005-4394 can be severe for organizations using affected EPiX versions, as it directly undermines user trust and application security. When exploited, the vulnerability can lead to unauthorized access to user accounts, data breaches, and potential system compromise through session manipulation. Organizations may face regulatory compliance issues, reputational damage, and legal consequences if user data is compromised through such attacks. The vulnerability affects the core search functionality of the application, which is typically a frequently used feature, amplifying the potential attack surface and impact. From an attacker's perspective, this vulnerability provides a straightforward path to persistent access and data manipulation within the application environment. The flaw also represents a failure in the application's input sanitization and output encoding processes, which are fundamental security controls that should prevent such injection attacks.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of affected EPiX installations to version 3.1.3 or later where the security flaw has been addressed. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms to prevent script injection attempts in all user-supplied data, particularly search parameters. Web application firewalls and security monitoring systems should be configured to detect and block suspicious search query patterns that may indicate attempted exploitation. Additionally, regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components. The remediation process should include thorough code review of all search functionality to ensure proper sanitization of user input before processing. Organizations should also consider implementing content security policies and secure coding practices to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in future development cycles. This vulnerability underscores the importance of following secure coding guidelines and maintaining up-to-date security patches across all application components.