CVE-2005-4401 in Lutece
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Lutece 1.2.3 and earlier allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified search parameters, possibly the query parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/15/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-4401 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Lutece content management system version 1.2.3 and earlier releases. This vulnerability falls under the common weakness enumeration CWE-79 which specifically addresses improper neutralization of input during web page generation, making it a classic example of insecure web application development practices. The flaw exists in the system's handling of search parameters, particularly the query parameter, which allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content that gets executed in the context of other users' browsers. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited to steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of users, or redirect them to malicious websites.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious URL containing script code within the search query parameter and delivers it to unsuspecting users. When victims navigate to the crafted URL or click on links containing the malicious payload, the injected code executes in their browser context, potentially compromising their session data or system access. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that it affects the core search functionality of the application, making it a high-value target for attackers who can leverage it to gain unauthorized access to user accounts or manipulate application behavior. The unspecified nature of the affected search parameters suggests that multiple input vectors within the search functionality may be vulnerable, increasing the attack surface and making comprehensive patching more challenging for administrators.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risks for organizations using Lutece 1.2.3 or earlier versions, as it can lead to complete compromise of user sessions and potential data breaches. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires minimal technical skill to exploit, making it attractive to both skilled attackers and automated attack tools. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability aligns with attack techniques categorized under the attack pattern taxonomy as part of the web application attack surface, where attackers leverage input validation weaknesses to execute malicious code. Organizations may experience unauthorized access to sensitive information, session hijacking, and potential privilege escalation if attackers can manipulate the application's behavior through this XSS vector.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patching of affected Lutece installations to version 1.2.4 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes. Additionally, administrators should implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms to prevent similar vulnerabilities in other applications. The implementation of content security policies and proper sanitization of all user-supplied input can significantly reduce the risk of exploitation. Organizations should also consider deploying web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious script injection attempts. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in other web applications. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions and implementing proper input validation practices as outlined in secure coding guidelines and industry best practices for web application security.