CVE-2005-4698 in TellMe
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in TellMe 1.2 and earlier allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the 91) q_IP (IP) or (2) q_Host (HOST) parameters.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/12/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-4698 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw affecting TellMe software versions 1.2 and earlier. This vulnerability resides in the web application's handling of user-supplied input parameters, specifically targeting the q_IP and q_Host parameters that are used for IP address and host name queries respectively. The flaw allows remote attackers to inject malicious scripts or HTML content into the application's response, creating a persistent security risk that can affect all users interacting with the vulnerable system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding within the TellMe application's web interface. When the application processes the q_IP or q_Host parameters without proper sanitization, it fails to escape special characters that could be interpreted as HTML or JavaScript code by web browsers. This lack of input filtering creates an environment where malicious actors can craft payloads that execute in the context of other users' browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, data theft, or further exploitation of the compromised user environment. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-79, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws in software applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable sophisticated attack vectors including credential theft, session manipulation, and redirection to malicious sites. An attacker could exploit this flaw by constructing a malicious URL containing script code within the q_IP or q_Host parameters, which would then be executed whenever a victim accesses the application. This creates a persistent threat vector that can be leveraged for phishing attacks, data exfiltration, or as a stepping stone for more complex attacks. The vulnerability affects the application's integrity and user trust, potentially leading to significant business disruption and regulatory compliance issues.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-4698 should focus on implementing robust input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application. The primary remediation involves sanitizing all user-supplied input parameters, particularly the q_IP and q_Host fields, by implementing proper HTML entity encoding before rendering any user-provided content in the application's response. Organizations should also consider implementing Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution and prevent unauthorized code injection. Additionally, upgrading to TellMe versions that address this vulnerability is essential, as the flaw represents a fundamental security weakness that can be exploited across multiple attack scenarios. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566, which covers the use of web applications as attack vectors for executing malicious payloads against unsuspecting users.