CVE-2006-0317 in Referrer Tracker
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in rkrt_stats.php in RedKernel Referrer Tracker 1.1.0-3 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via a query string value as a GET, which is stored in the $QUERY_STRING variable. NOTE: the provenance of this information is unknown; portions of the details are obtained from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/05/2017
The vulnerability described in CVE-2006-0317 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the RedKernel Referrer Tracker 1.1.0-3 web application. This security weakness specifically targets the rkrt_stats.php script which processes HTTP GET requests containing query string parameters. The flaw arises from insufficient input validation and output sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly escape or filter user-supplied data before it is rendered in web responses. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it allows attackers to inject malicious scripts directly through the $QUERY_STRING variable, which serves as a repository for all GET request parameters passed to the application.
The technical execution of this XSS attack occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious query string containing script code and appends it to the rkrt_stats.php URL. When the vulnerable application processes this request, it stores the malicious input in the $QUERY_STRING variable and subsequently includes it in the HTML response without proper sanitization. This creates an environment where any web page displaying the referrer statistics can execute the injected malicious code within the context of the victim's browser session. The vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, representing one of the most common and dangerous classes of web application vulnerabilities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection as it provides attackers with the capability to perform session hijacking, steal sensitive cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or even execute arbitrary commands on the victim's browser. Given that the RedKernel Referrer Tracker is designed to monitor and log website referrer information, attackers could potentially manipulate the displayed statistics to redirect users to phishing pages or inject malware delivery mechanisms. This vulnerability particularly affects users who view the referrer statistics in a web browser, as the malicious script executes in their browser context with the privileges of the authenticated session. The attack vector requires minimal technical expertise and can be automated, making it a significant threat to web applications that do not properly validate user input.
Mitigation strategies for this XSS vulnerability should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms. The most effective approach involves sanitizing all user-supplied input before it is processed or displayed, particularly query string parameters that are stored in variables like $QUERY_STRING. Security measures should include implementing proper HTML entity encoding for all dynamic content, utilizing Content Security Policy headers to restrict script execution, and employing input validation libraries that can detect and block malicious payloads. Organizations should also consider implementing the principle of least privilege by ensuring that the application does not store or display user input in a manner that could execute scripts. The remediation process requires updating the rkrt_stats.php script to properly escape or filter all GET parameters before they are included in the response output, thereby preventing the execution of malicious scripts that could be embedded in the query string values. This vulnerability highlights the critical importance of input validation and output encoding practices that align with established security frameworks such as the OWASP Top Ten and the ATT&CK framework's web application attack patterns.