CVE-2005-4485 in ProjectApp
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in ProjectApp 3.3 and earlier allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the keywords parameter to (1) forums.asp, (2) search_employees.asp, (3) cat.asp, and (4) links.asp; (5) projectid parameter to pmprojects.asp, (6) ret_page parameter to login.asp, and (7) skin_number parameter to default.asp.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/08/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-4485 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting ProjectApp version 3.3 and earlier systems. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is one of the most prevalent and dangerous web application security flaws identified by the CWE organization. The flaw manifests across multiple entry points within the application's web interface, making it particularly concerning for attackers seeking to exploit user sessions and compromise the entire system. The vulnerability affects several core application components including forum functionality, employee search capabilities, category displays, and link management systems, indicating a systemic issue in input validation and output encoding practices.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate sanitization of user-supplied input parameters within the web application's processing pipeline. Attackers can manipulate the keywords parameter in four different files including forums.asp, search_employees.asp, cat.asp, and links.asp to inject malicious scripts that will execute in the context of other users' browsers. Additionally, the vulnerability extends to projectid in pmprojects.asp, ret_page in login.asp, and skin_number in default.asp, demonstrating that the application lacks consistent input validation mechanisms across its interface. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it allows attackers to inject arbitrary HTML and script content that will be rendered by victim browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or further exploitation of the affected system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it enables attackers to compromise user sessions and potentially gain unauthorized access to sensitive project data. When users visit affected pages with maliciously crafted parameters, their browsers execute the injected scripts, which could redirect them to phishing sites, steal authentication cookies, or perform unauthorized actions on their behalf. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1531 for Account Access Removal and T1071.001 for Application Layer Protocol: Web Protocols, as it exploits web application vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access to user sessions. The widespread nature of the affected parameters suggests that attackers could potentially compromise multiple user interactions across different application modules, amplifying the potential impact of a single exploitation attempt.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including input validation and output encoding across all user-supplied parameters. The recommended approach involves implementing strict input sanitization routines that filter or escape special characters before processing user input, combined with proper output encoding that ensures any user-supplied content is rendered safely in web contexts. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy headers and using web application firewalls can provide additional layers of protection against such attacks. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of consistent security practices throughout application development, as it reflects poor input validation practices that are commonly addressed by security frameworks such as the OWASP Top Ten and NIST Cybersecurity Framework. Regular security audits and input validation testing should be implemented to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in future application versions.