CVE-2006-0175 in Web Wiz Forums
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in search_form.asp in Web Wiz Forums 6.34 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the search parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/03/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-0175 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the Web Wiz Forums 6.34 web application. This issue resides in the search_form.asp component which fails to properly sanitize user input before processing search queries. The vulnerability specifically affects the handling of the search parameter, allowing malicious actors to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content directly into the application's response. This type of vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-79 which defines improper neutralization of input during web page generation as a critical security weakness.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious search query containing script code and submits it through the vulnerable search parameter. The web application processes this input without adequate validation or sanitization, subsequently rendering the malicious content within the user's browser context. This creates a persistent XSS vector where any user who views the search results or interacts with the affected page could unknowingly execute the injected code. The attack can be executed entirely through web-based interfaces without requiring any special tools or local access to the system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection as it provides attackers with significant capabilities to compromise user sessions, steal sensitive information, or manipulate forum content. An attacker could potentially steal cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or even modify forum content to spread further attacks. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of the web application, as users may unknowingly execute malicious code that can lead to session hijacking, data exfiltration, or the establishment of backdoors within the forum environment. This type of attack can be particularly damaging in community forums where users trust the platform and share sensitive information.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms. The most effective approach involves sanitizing all user-supplied input before processing or displaying it within the application. This includes implementing strict validation of search parameters and applying appropriate HTML encoding to prevent script execution in the browser context. Organizations should also consider implementing Content Security Policy headers to add an additional layer of protection against XSS attacks. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation in web applications and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 which coversObtaining Capabilities through web application attacks. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar input handling vulnerabilities that could compromise web application security.