CVE-2005-4415 in TML
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in index.php in TML CMS 0.5 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the form parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/19/2025
The CVE-2005-4415 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw discovered in the TML CMS version 0.5 content management system. This vulnerability specifically targets the index.php script and exploits a weakness in how the application processes the form parameter, creating an avenue for remote attackers to execute malicious code within the context of users' browsers. The vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category, which classifies it as a classic cross-site scripting vulnerability where untrusted data is incorporated into web pages without proper validation or sanitization, making it one of the most prevalent and dangerous web application security flaws.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the TML CMS application fails to properly sanitize user input received through the form parameter in the index.php file. When an attacker crafts a malicious payload and submits it through this parameter, the application processes the input without adequate filtering mechanisms, allowing the malicious script to be stored or directly executed in the browser of unsuspecting users who visit the affected page. This type of vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be exploited through various attack vectors including reflected, stored, or DOM-based XSS techniques, though the specific variant in this case appears to be a stored XSS scenario where the malicious content persists in the application's database or configuration files.
The operational impact of CVE-2005-4415 extends beyond simple script injection, potentially enabling attackers to perform session hijacking, deface websites, steal sensitive user information, or redirect users to malicious domains. The vulnerability can be exploited by attackers who do not require any special privileges or authentication to compromise the system, making it particularly dangerous for websites running the affected TML CMS version. Attackers can leverage this flaw to execute arbitrary commands in the victim's browser context, potentially leading to complete compromise of user sessions and unauthorized access to sensitive data. The vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental lack of input validation and output encoding practices that are essential for web application security.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-4415 should focus on implementing proper input sanitization and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application. Organizations should immediately upgrade to a patched version of TML CMS if available, as this vulnerability was likely addressed in subsequent releases. The recommended approach includes implementing strict input validation that filters or rejects potentially malicious characters, employing output encoding techniques when displaying user-provided content, and establishing a comprehensive security testing process that includes dynamic and static analysis. Security professionals should also consider implementing web application firewalls and content security policies to provide additional layers of protection against similar vulnerabilities. The remediation efforts should align with industry standards such as those outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and the NIST Cybersecurity Framework, ensuring that the fix addresses not only the immediate vulnerability but also strengthens the overall security posture of the web application.