CVE-2006-0165 in WebGUI
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the DataForm Entries functionality in Plain Black WebGUI before 6.8.4 (gamma) allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary Javascript via the (1) url and (2) name field of the default email form.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/17/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-0165 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Plain Black WebGUI application, specifically affecting versions prior to 6.8.4 gamma release. This security weakness resides in the DataForm Entries functionality, which processes user input through email forms that are commonly used for data collection and submission within web applications. The vulnerability manifests when the application fails to properly sanitize or validate user-supplied input before rendering it within web pages, creating an avenue for malicious actors to execute arbitrary javascript code in the context of other users' browsers. The flaw affects two specific input fields within the default email form, namely the url and name fields, making it particularly concerning as these are common fields that users frequently populate during form submissions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding practices within the WebGUI application's data handling mechanisms. When users enter data into the affected fields, the application stores this information without adequate sanitization processes that would normally escape or remove potentially dangerous characters and script tags. This allows attackers to craft malicious payloads that, when processed by the application, get executed in the browsers of unsuspecting users who view the affected content. The vulnerability classification aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws in web applications, where improper neutralization of input during web page generation creates opportunities for attackers to inject client-side scripts. The attack vector operates through a classic server-side injection technique where malicious input is stored and subsequently rendered without proper context-aware encoding.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, potentially enabling attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities against users of the affected WebGUI installations. Successful exploitation could allow threat actors to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious websites, deface web pages, or harvest sensitive information from authenticated users. The remote nature of the attack means that adversaries do not require physical access to the system or elevated privileges to exploit the vulnerability, making it particularly dangerous for web applications that handle sensitive user data. Users who interact with the affected email forms may unknowingly execute malicious code, leading to potential data breaches, unauthorized access to user accounts, or complete compromise of the web application's security posture. This vulnerability particularly impacts organizations relying on Plain Black WebGUI for content management or data collection purposes, where the email form functionality is frequently used.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2006-0165 should focus on immediate remediation through the application of the vendor-provided patch, which was released as part of the 6.8.4 gamma version. Organizations should also implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms to prevent similar vulnerabilities in the future, ensuring that all user-supplied data undergoes proper sanitization before being processed or displayed. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide additional defense-in-depth measures to limit the execution of unauthorized scripts within the application context. Security teams should also conduct thorough vulnerability assessments of their WebGUI installations to identify any other potential injection points and ensure that all input fields are properly validated. The remediation approach should align with ATT&CK technique T1566, which addresses the exploitation of vulnerabilities through various injection methods, emphasizing the importance of proper input validation and output encoding as primary defensive measures against such attacks. Regular security updates and patch management processes should be implemented to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced in future versions of the application.