CVE-2005-4498 in Text-e Cms
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Text-e 1.6.4 and earlier allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified search parameters.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/05/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-4498 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within Text-e version 1.6.4 and earlier releases. This weakness resides in the application's handling of search parameters, creating an avenue for malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data before incorporating it into web responses. Text-e, a content management system designed for web publishing and text manipulation, becomes susceptible to this attack vector when processing search queries that contain malicious payloads. The flaw manifests when the application fails to adequately escape or filter special characters and script tags that users might inject into search fields, thereby allowing attackers to inject hostile content that executes in the victim's browser environment.
The technical exploitation of this XSS vulnerability follows standard attack patterns where malicious input is crafted to bypass the application's security controls. Attackers can construct search parameters containing script tags, javascript: URLs, or other malicious code that gets executed when legitimate users view search results or navigate through the application interface. This type of vulnerability typically falls under CWE-79 which categorizes cross-site scripting as a code injection flaw where untrusted data is improperly integrated into web pages without proper sanitization or encoding. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that search functionality is often a core component of web applications, making it a frequent target for exploitation. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple script execution as it can enable session hijacking, credential theft, defacement of web content, and redirection to malicious sites, all of which align with tactics described in the mitre ATT&CK framework under the T1059.007 technique for scripting languages.
The operational impact of CVE-2005-4498 is significant for organizations utilizing Text-e 1.6.4 or earlier versions, as it compromises the integrity and security of their web applications. When exploited, this vulnerability can result in unauthorized access to user sessions, data exfiltration, and potential complete compromise of the affected web application. The vulnerability affects the availability and confidentiality of information as attackers can manipulate search results, inject malicious content, or redirect users to phishing sites. Organizations using vulnerable versions face increased risk of data breaches and reputational damage, particularly in environments where sensitive information might be accessible through the search functionality. The attack requires minimal technical expertise to exploit, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged by threat actors of varying skill levels. The vulnerability's persistence in older versions of Text-e highlights the importance of regular software updates and security maintenance practices, which are fundamental principles outlined in various cybersecurity frameworks including NIST cybersecurity framework and ISO 27001 standards.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-4498 should focus on immediate remediation through software updates to the latest stable version of Text-e that addresses this vulnerability. Organizations must implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms to prevent malicious data from being processed as executable code. The application should employ proper HTML escaping techniques for all user-supplied inputs, particularly those used in search parameters and dynamic content generation. Security headers such as Content Security Policy should be implemented to add additional layers of protection against script execution. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components. Network monitoring and intrusion detection systems should be configured to detect anomalous search parameter patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to filter malicious traffic and establish secure coding practices that prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in future development cycles. The remediation process must include thorough testing to ensure that security measures do not inadvertently break legitimate application functionality while maintaining robust protection against XSS attacks.