CVE-2006-0122 in Aquifer
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Public/Index.asp in Aquifer CMS allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the Keyword parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/11/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-0122 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the Aquifer Content Management System's Public/Index.asp component. This security weakness resides in the application's handling of user input through the Keyword parameter, creating an avenue for malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability specifically affects the public-facing interface of the CMS, making it accessible to anyone who can interact with the affected web application. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding practices that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data before incorporating it into dynamically generated web pages. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is classified as a critical web application security weakness that allows attackers to inject client-side scripts into web pages viewed by other users. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it operates through a simple HTTP parameter manipulation, requiring minimal technical expertise to exploit.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, and data exfiltration. When a victim accesses a page containing malicious code injected through the Keyword parameter, their browser executes the embedded script, potentially allowing attackers to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or modify page content to deceive users. The vulnerability's exploitation does not require authentication or special privileges, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged by anyone with access to the vulnerable application. This type of attack aligns with the ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for Phishing and T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, demonstrating how XSS vulnerabilities can serve as initial access vectors for more sophisticated attack chains. The CMS environment becomes a potential staging ground for broader security breaches, as successful exploitation can lead to complete compromise of user sessions and potentially the underlying server infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2006-0122 must focus on implementing robust input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application. The most effective immediate solution involves sanitizing all user input parameters, particularly those used in dynamic page generation, by employing proper HTML encoding techniques before rendering content. Implementing Content Security Policy headers can provide additional protection by restricting the sources from which scripts can be executed within the application context. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components, as this type of flaw often indicates broader input validation weaknesses within the system. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing of all user-facing parameters to ensure that no other input vectors remain vulnerable to similar attacks. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems that can monitor for suspicious parameter values and prevent exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to established security frameworks such as the OWASP Top Ten, which consistently ranks XSS as one of the most prevalent and dangerous web application security risks. Regular patch management and security updates are essential to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities, as this particular flaw was present in older versions of the Aquifer CMS that have since been addressed through proper input validation implementations.