CVE-2005-4484 in IntranetApp
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in IntranetApp 3.3 and earlier allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) ret_page parameter to login.asp or the (2) do_search and (3) search parameters to content.asp.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/04/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-4484 represents a critical security flaw in IntranetApp version 3.3 and earlier systems that exposes organizations to persistent cross-site scripting attacks. This vulnerability specifically targets the authentication and content search functionalities of the application, creating pathways for malicious actors to execute unauthorized code within the context of user sessions. The flaw resides in the improper sanitization of user input parameters, allowing attackers to inject malicious scripts that can be executed by other users who access the affected application. The vulnerability affects both the login process and content search capabilities, making it particularly dangerous as it can compromise user authentication and data access within the intranet environment.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly validate and sanitize input parameters before processing user requests. When users navigate to the login.asp page with a crafted ret_page parameter or when they perform searches through content.asp using manipulated do_search or search parameters, the application fails to adequately filter or encode the input data. This lack of input validation creates opportunities for attackers to inject malicious HTML or JavaScript code that gets stored and executed within the victim's browser context. The vulnerability is classified as a classic reflected cross-site scripting issue where user-supplied data flows directly into the application's output without proper sanitization, enabling attackers to construct malicious URLs that can execute arbitrary scripts when visited by other users.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can lead to complete session hijacking, credential theft, and unauthorized access to sensitive intranet resources. Attackers can exploit these vulnerabilities to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or inject malicious content that can compromise the entire intranet application. The attack surface is particularly concerning because it affects core application functions that are frequently accessed by multiple users, amplifying the potential damage from a single successful exploitation. Organizations utilizing IntranetApp versions 3.3 or earlier face significant risks as these vulnerabilities can be leveraged to gain unauthorized access to internal systems, potentially leading to data breaches, privilege escalation, and further network compromise. The vulnerability also aligns with attack patterns commonly associated with the use of malicious links in phishing campaigns or social engineering attacks targeting internal users.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application. Organizations must ensure that all user-supplied parameters are properly sanitized before being processed or displayed to users, implementing proper HTML encoding for all dynamic content. The recommended approach involves implementing strict parameter validation, utilizing secure coding practices that prevent XSS vulnerabilities, and deploying web application firewalls to detect and block malicious input patterns. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing content security policies to further restrict script execution within the application context. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of adhering to secure coding standards and maintaining up-to-date application versions, as it represents a fundamental security flaw that could be easily addressed through proper input validation and sanitization techniques. The vulnerability also highlights the need for regular security assessments and penetration testing to identify and remediate similar issues in legacy applications that may not have received proper security updates over time.
This vulnerability maps directly to CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 which covers social engineering attacks through malicious links. The flaw represents a significant weakness in the application's security posture that can be exploited without requiring privileged access or advanced technical skills, making it particularly dangerous for organizations with limited security resources. The impact is exacerbated by the fact that the vulnerability affects core application functions, making it difficult for organizations to simply disable affected features as these are essential for normal operation. Organizations should prioritize immediate remediation through code updates, input validation improvements, and comprehensive security testing to address this vulnerability and prevent potential exploitation by malicious actors.