CVE-2007-1405 in Trac
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the "download wiki page as text" feature in Trac before 0.10.3.1, when Microsoft Internet Explorer is used, allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified parameters.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/13/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-1405 represents a cross-site scripting flaw within the Trac project management and bug tracking system, specifically affecting versions prior to 0.10.3.1. This security weakness resides in the "download wiki page as text" functionality, which when combined with Microsoft Internet Explorer's handling of certain web content, creates an exploitable condition that enables remote attackers to inject malicious scripts or HTML code. The vulnerability is particularly significant because it leverages the trust relationship between the web browser and the application, allowing attackers to execute code in the context of the victim's session. The issue demonstrates how seemingly innocuous features like file downloads can become attack vectors when proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms are absent.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from inadequate sanitization of user-supplied parameters within the wiki page download functionality. When users attempt to download wiki content as text, the application fails to properly encode or validate input parameters that control the download process. This omission creates an environment where malicious actors can manipulate the download parameters to inject script code that gets executed when the downloaded content is processed by Internet Explorer. The vulnerability specifically manifests in Microsoft Internet Explorer due to its particular handling of certain HTML constructs and script execution contexts, making the attack surface more pronounced in this browser environment. According to CWE classification, this represents a CWE-79: Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, which is a fundamental web application security weakness that enables various forms of injection attacks.
The operational impact of CVE-2007-1405 extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform session hijacking, deface web pages, steal sensitive information, or redirect users to malicious sites. When exploited successfully, the vulnerability allows attackers to inject scripts that can access cookies, session tokens, or other sensitive data that the victim's browser has stored in the context of the Trac application. This capability makes it particularly dangerous for organizations that rely on Trac for collaborative development and project management, as it could lead to unauthorized access to development resources, source code exposure, or compromise of the entire project management platform. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, specifically focusing on the execution of scripts within web browsers.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected Trac installations to version 0.10.3.1 or later, which includes proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms. Organizations should also implement comprehensive input sanitization practices, including the use of proper HTML escaping for all user-supplied content before it is rendered or processed. Network security measures such as web application firewalls can provide additional protection layers, though they should not replace proper application-level fixes. Security awareness training for developers about secure coding practices and the importance of input validation is essential for preventing similar vulnerabilities in other components of the system. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of proper output encoding in web applications and demonstrates how browser-specific behaviors can create unique attack vectors that require careful consideration during security assessments.