CVE-2006-0366 in Phpclanwebsite
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Phpclanwebsite (aka PCW) allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via a javascript URI in a BBCode img tag.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/18/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-0366 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within Phpclanwebsite version 1.00 and earlier releases. This web application, commonly referred to as PCW, is designed to facilitate clan management and community building for gaming organizations. The vulnerability specifically resides in the application's handling of BBCode markup, particularly within image tags that process javascript URIs. Attackers can exploit this weakness by injecting malicious javascript code through the img tag parameter, which then gets executed when other users view the affected content. The flaw demonstrates a classic XSS vulnerability pattern where user input is improperly sanitized before being rendered back to end users, creating a persistent security risk that can compromise user sessions and data integrity.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the BBCode parser component of the Phpclanwebsite application. When processing BBCode img tags, the system fails to properly validate or sanitize javascript URIs embedded within the src attribute, allowing attackers to bypass standard security filters. This weakness directly aligns with CWE-79, which categorizes cross-site scripting vulnerabilities as a result of insufficient input validation and output encoding. The vulnerability occurs because the application does not adequately distinguish between legitimate image sources and malicious javascript code, treating both identically during the rendering process. The exploitation mechanism relies on the fact that BBCode allows for custom markup processing, but the underlying implementation lacks proper URI scheme validation, enabling attackers to inject javascript: URIs that execute within the victim's browser context.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can facilitate session hijacking, credential theft, and malicious redirection attacks. When users visit pages containing the injected malicious content, their browsers execute the embedded javascript code within the context of the vulnerable application, potentially compromising their session cookies and other sensitive data. This vulnerability can be particularly dangerous in community-driven environments where users frequently post content with embedded media, as the attack vector becomes more accessible through normal user interaction patterns. The threat landscape is further complicated by the fact that this vulnerability affects the entire user base of the application, making it a high-value target for attackers seeking to maximize impact. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be exploited without requiring any special privileges or advanced technical knowledge from the attacker, making it particularly concerning for widespread deployment.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding measures within the BBCode processing pipeline. The most effective approach involves sanitizing all user-provided content before rendering it, specifically by validating URI schemes and rejecting javascript: URIs within img tag attributes. Organizations should implement Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution and prevent unauthorized code injection. Additionally, the application should enforce strict BBCode parsing rules that validate the format and content of all image sources, ensuring that only legitimate HTTP or HTTPS URIs are accepted. This remediation approach aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566, which addresses the exploitation of web application vulnerabilities through input validation bypasses. The implementation of proper input sanitization and output encoding should be complemented by regular security audits and code reviews to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in other components of the application. System administrators should also consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring solutions to detect and block suspicious injection attempts in real-time.