CVE-2005-4433 in Esselbach Storyteller CMS
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in search.php in Esselbach Storyteller CMS 1.8 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the query parameter, which is used by the Search field.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/01/2017
The CVE-2005-4433 vulnerability represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the Esselbach Storyteller Content Management System version 1.8. This vulnerability specifically targets the search.php script which processes user input through the query parameter, creating a pathway for remote attackers to execute malicious web scripts or HTML code within the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly escape or filter user-supplied data before it is rendered back to the browser.
This XSS vulnerability operates under the Common Weakness Enumeration classification of CWE-79, which specifically addresses improper neutralization of input during web page generation. The flaw enables attackers to inject malicious code that executes in the victim's browser when they view search results or navigate through the affected application interface. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it leverages the legitimate search functionality of the CMS, making it more difficult for users to distinguish between benign and malicious content. The vulnerability exists in the web application's input handling logic where the query parameter from user searches is directly incorporated into the response without proper sanitization.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to perform various malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, redirection to malicious sites, and data exfiltration. When exploited, the vulnerability allows attackers to manipulate the behavior of the CMS in ways that can compromise user sessions and potentially provide unauthorized access to administrative functions. The threat is amplified by the fact that many CMS users may not be aware of the vulnerability until it is actively exploited, and the injection occurs through normal search operations that users frequently perform. This makes the attack surface particularly broad as any user interaction with the search functionality could serve as an entry point.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate input validation and output encoding of all user-supplied data, particularly in search parameters and other dynamic content areas. The recommended approach involves implementing proper HTML entity encoding before rendering any user input back to the browser, ensuring that special characters are properly escaped to prevent their interpretation as HTML or script elements. Organizations should also implement Content Security Policy headers to limit the execution of inline scripts and restrict the sources from which scripts can be loaded. Additionally, regular security audits and input validation testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other parts of the application. The remediation aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for credential access through phishing and T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter, as the vulnerability enables both session manipulation and script execution capabilities that attackers can leverage for further compromise.