CVE-2005-4599 in TinyMCE Compressor PHP
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in tiny_mce_gzip.php in TinyMCE Compressor PHP before 1.06 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the index parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/05/2017
The CVE-2005-4599 vulnerability represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw in the TinyMCE Compressor PHP component that was prevalent in versions prior to 1.06. This vulnerability specifically targets the tiny_mce_gzip.php script which serves as a compression utility for the TinyMCE rich text editor. The flaw occurs when the application fails to properly sanitize user input passed through the index parameter, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content into web pages viewed by other users. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is one of the most common and dangerous web application security flaws identified by the CWE organization. The vulnerability exposes applications using the affected TinyMCE compressor to potential exploitation through persistent or reflected XSS attacks.
The technical mechanism of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation and output encoding practices within the TinyMCE Compressor PHP implementation. When the index parameter is processed without adequate sanitization, malicious payloads can be embedded directly into the compressed JavaScript or HTML output that gets served to end users. This allows attackers to execute arbitrary scripts in the context of other users' browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects a widely used content management and editing tool that many web applications rely upon for their rich text editing capabilities. Attackers can craft malicious URLs containing script tags or other HTML content within the index parameter that gets executed when the compromised page is loaded by unsuspecting users.
The operational impact of CVE-2005-4599 extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable sophisticated attack chains that leverage the compromised user sessions. When exploited, this vulnerability can allow attackers to steal cookies, modify page content, redirect users to phishing sites, or even perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. The attack surface is broad since TinyMCE is integrated into numerous content management systems, web applications, and online tools that require rich text editing functionality. Organizations using vulnerable versions of the TinyMCE Compressor PHP are at risk of having their web applications compromised, potentially leading to data breaches, reputational damage, and regulatory compliance issues. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for Initial Access through Spearphishing Attachment, as attackers can embed malicious payloads in documents or web pages that utilize the vulnerable editor component.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability center around immediate patching of the TinyMCE Compressor PHP component to version 1.06 or later, which contains the necessary input sanitization fixes. Organizations should also implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding practices throughout their web applications, particularly for any parameters that are passed to rich text editors or content rendering components. Additional protective measures include implementing Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution, using proper HTML escaping for dynamic content, and conducting regular security assessments of third-party components. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date web application components and following secure coding practices that prevent XSS attacks through proper input validation and output encoding. Security teams should also consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring for suspicious parameter values that may indicate attempted exploitation of similar vulnerabilities.