CVE-2005-4502 in httprint
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in httprint v202, and possibly other versions before v301, allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the Server field in an HTTP response, which is not sanitized before being displayed to the user.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/27/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-4502 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw in the httprint tool version 202 and potentially earlier versions up to but not including v301. This issue resides in the HTTP response handling mechanism where the Server field is processed without proper input sanitization, creating an avenue for malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of a victim's browser session. The httprint utility is commonly used for network reconnaissance and service identification, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for security professionals who rely on its output for system analysis.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker manipulates the Server header field in an HTTP response to include malicious script content. When httprint processes this response and displays the Server field information to users, the unsanitized input gets rendered directly in the browser, enabling the execution of malicious code. This flaw aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting vulnerabilities where input data is not properly validated or escaped before being rendered in web contexts. The vulnerability manifests as a reflected XSS attack vector since the malicious payload is embedded within the HTTP response and executed when the user views the httprint output.
The operational impact of CVE-2005-4502 extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform various malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, and redirection to malicious websites. When security professionals use httprint for network scanning and service identification, they become potential victims of this vulnerability, as the tool's output may contain malicious code that executes in their browser environment. This creates a dangerous scenario where the very tool designed for security assessment becomes a vector for exploitation, potentially compromising the security posture of organizations relying on it for network reconnaissance. The vulnerability particularly affects environments where httprint is used in web-based interfaces or when its output is displayed in HTML contexts.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability involve immediate upgrading to httprint version 301 or later, which contains proper input sanitization mechanisms for HTTP response fields. Organizations should also implement proper output encoding and validation for all HTTP header fields, particularly those that may be displayed to end users. The remediation process should include reviewing all input handling mechanisms within the tool to ensure no other HTTP header fields suffer from similar sanitization issues. Additionally, security teams should consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure to potentially compromised systems while the tool is being updated. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation and output sanitization in security tools, as these utilities often process untrusted data and must not become attack vectors themselves. The remediation approach should follow established security practices outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and related security frameworks that emphasize the need for proper input validation and output encoding to prevent XSS vulnerabilities across all application layers.