CVE-2008-5264 in Tornado Knowledge Retrieval System
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in searcher.exe in Tornado Knowledge Retrieval System 4.2 and earlier allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the p parameter in a root action.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/30/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-5264 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Tornado Knowledge Retrieval System version 4.2 and earlier. This vulnerability resides in the searcher.exe component and specifically affects the root action functionality where user input is processed without adequate sanitization. The flaw manifests when attackers exploit the p parameter to inject malicious web scripts or HTML code, creating a persistent vector for malicious activity within the application's interface.
This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-79 which defines cross-site scripting as a weakness where untrusted data is incorporated into web page content without proper validation or escaping. The Tornado Knowledge Retrieval System fails to implement proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary scripts in the context of other users' browsers. The root action parameter serves as the primary attack surface where malicious input can be seamlessly integrated into the application's response handling.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, creating a pathway for more sophisticated attacks such as session hijacking, credential theft, and data exfiltration. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can manipulate the application's behavior to redirect users to malicious sites, steal session cookies, or inject malicious content that persists across user sessions. The vulnerability affects all users of the affected system, making it particularly dangerous in environments where multiple users access the knowledge retrieval system simultaneously.
From a threat modeling perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 which covers social engineering through malicious content delivery. The attack chain typically involves crafting malicious payloads that appear legitimate to end users, leveraging the XSS vulnerability to execute these payloads when other users interact with the system. The exploitability is high due to the lack of input sanitization and the fact that the vulnerability exists in a core functionality component that handles user interactions.
The recommended mitigation strategies include implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms to prevent malicious content from being processed. Organizations should deploy proper parameter sanitization routines that escape special characters and validate input against expected formats. Additionally, implementing content security policies and using secure coding practices such as input whitelisting and proper HTML encoding can effectively prevent this class of vulnerability. The system should also be upgraded to a patched version of the Tornado Knowledge Retrieval System where the XSS vulnerability has been addressed through proper input validation and sanitization procedures.