CVE-2006-0073 in Discus Freeware
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in DiscusWare Discus Freeware 3.10.5 and Professional 3.10.4 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors in a URL, which is not properly sanitized from the resulting error message. NOTE: the provenance of this information is unknown; the details are obtained solely from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/23/2024
This cross-site scripting vulnerability exists within DiscusWare Discus Freeware version 3.10.5 and Professional version 3.10.4, representing a critical security flaw that enables remote attackers to execute malicious scripts within the context of affected web applications. The vulnerability stems from improper input sanitization mechanisms that fail to adequately filter or escape user-supplied data before it is processed and displayed in error messages. When malformed or malicious input is provided through URL parameters, the application does not sufficiently validate or sanitize this data, allowing attackers to inject arbitrary HTML and JavaScript code that gets executed in the victim's browser. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws where applications fail to properly encode output, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 which involves the exploitation of web application vulnerabilities through malicious script injection. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the application layer where user input directly influences the application's response, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to compromise user sessions or redirect them to malicious sites.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform session hijacking, deface web applications, steal sensitive user information, or redirect victims to phishing sites. When error messages are generated from unsanitized input, any malicious script embedded within the URL parameters becomes part of the HTML response sent to the user's browser, where it executes with the privileges of the victim's session. This creates a persistent threat vector that can be exploited repeatedly by attackers who identify vulnerable applications. The vulnerability's exploitation is relatively straightforward since it requires only the construction of a malicious URL with encoded script content, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users might inadvertently click on compromised links or where applications are accessible through public-facing interfaces. The fact that this vulnerability affects both freeware and professional versions suggests a widespread exposure across different deployment scenarios, from small business installations to larger enterprise environments.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application's codebase. Organizations must ensure that all user-supplied data, particularly URL parameters and form inputs, undergo strict sanitization before being processed or displayed in any application response. This includes implementing proper HTML entity encoding for all dynamic content, utilizing content security policies to limit script execution, and implementing robust input validation routines that reject or sanitize potentially malicious content. Security measures should also include regular code reviews focusing on output encoding practices, deployment of web application firewalls to detect and block malicious payloads, and comprehensive testing procedures including automated scanning tools and manual penetration testing to identify similar vulnerabilities in the application's codebase. Additionally, application developers should follow secure coding practices that align with OWASP Top Ten recommendations and ensure that error handling mechanisms properly sanitize all user data before inclusion in error messages or any other response content. The vulnerability's classification as a persistent threat requires ongoing monitoring and regular security assessments to prevent exploitation attempts and maintain application integrity against evolving attack vectors.