CVE-2005-4747 in WebHost Automation
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in WebHost Automation Ltd Helm before 3.2.6 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unknown vectors involving the default page.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/30/2017
The CVE-2005-4747 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw discovered in WebHost Automation Ltd Helm software prior to version 3.2.6. This vulnerability resides in the default page handling mechanism of the web hosting automation platform, which is widely used by hosting providers to manage their infrastructure and client services. The issue stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data before rendering it within web pages, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by remote attackers.
The technical implementation of this XSS vulnerability occurs when the Helm software processes user input through unspecified vectors within its default page functionality. Attackers can craft malicious payloads that, when executed, will be interpreted by web browsers as legitimate content rather than malicious scripts. This typically involves injecting javascript code or html elements that can execute in the context of other users' browsers who visit the compromised pages. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects the default page, which means it can potentially impact all users accessing the platform without requiring specific targeting of particular functions or modules.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or defacement. Attackers can leverage this XSS flaw to establish persistent access to victim sessions, steal sensitive information such as session cookies, credentials, or personal data, and potentially escalate privileges within the hosting environment. The vulnerability creates a persistent threat vector that can be exploited across multiple users and sessions, making it particularly dangerous for hosting providers who manage numerous client accounts. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation can occur from any location without requiring physical access to the target system.
Security professionals should note that this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a technique for code injection and privilege escalation, with potential for initial access through web application exploitation. Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of affected Helm installations to version 3.2.6 or later, as this represents the official fix for the XSS vulnerability. Additionally, implementing proper input validation, output encoding, and Content Security Policy headers can provide additional defense-in-depth measures against similar vulnerabilities. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of regular security assessments and keeping web application frameworks updated to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities that can compromise entire hosting infrastructures.