CVE-2005-4879 in guestbook
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in jax_guestbook.php in Jax Guestbook 3.1 and 3.31 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) gmt_ofs and (2) language parameters. NOTE: the page parameter is already covered by CVE-2006-1913. NOTE: it was later reported that 3.50 is also affected.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/28/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-4879 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in the Jax Guestbook web application version 3.1 and 3.31, with subsequent confirmation of impact on version 3.50. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, specifically manifesting as reflected XSS where malicious input is immediately reflected back to users without proper sanitization or encoding. The vulnerability affects the jax_guestbook.php script and specifically targets two input parameters: gmt_ofs and language, which are processed without adequate validation mechanisms. These parameters are typically used to handle time zone offsets and language settings respectively, making them prime targets for attackers seeking to inject malicious scripts into the web application's response.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when remote attackers submit malicious payloads through the gmt_ofs and language parameters, which are then incorporated directly into the web page output without proper HTML entity encoding or input validation. When legitimate users view the guestbook entries or pages that contain these reflected inputs, their browsers execute the injected malicious scripts, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious websites. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that these parameters are often part of the URL query string or form submissions, making them easily accessible for exploitation through various attack vectors including phishing emails, compromised websites, or social engineering campaigns. The reflected nature of the XSS means that the malicious code is not stored on the server but is instead injected into the response by the application itself, making it particularly challenging to detect and prevent.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with the ability to manipulate user sessions, steal cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or even perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. This vulnerability can be exploited by attackers without requiring any special privileges or authentication, making it particularly dangerous for public-facing web applications. The fact that multiple versions of the application are affected demonstrates a persistent flaw in the codebase that was not properly addressed through version updates, highlighting poor security practices in the application's development lifecycle. Organizations using affected versions of Jax Guestbook face significant risks including potential data breaches, user account compromise, and reputational damage due to the exploitation of this vulnerability.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-4879 should prioritize immediate patching of the application to version 3.50 or later, which presumably contains the necessary fixes for the reflected XSS vulnerabilities. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms is essential, including sanitizing all user-supplied input before processing and ensuring that all output is properly encoded to prevent script execution. The application should employ Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution sources and implement proper parameter validation to reject malicious inputs. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious requests containing known XSS patterns. The vulnerability's classification under the ATT&CK framework would place it within the T1566.001 technique category for credential access through social engineering, emphasizing the need for comprehensive security awareness training for users who may inadvertently trigger these attacks through malicious links or content. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other web applications within the organization's infrastructure.