CVE-2006-0574 in cPanel
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in mime/handle.html in cPanel 10 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) file extension or (2) mime-type.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/18/2018
The vulnerability described in CVE-2006-0574 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the cPanel 10 web interface, specifically targeting the mime/handle.html component. This issue arises from inadequate input validation and sanitization of user-supplied data within the file handling functionality of the control panel. The vulnerability exists in the way cPanel processes and displays file extension and mime-type parameters, creating an opportunity for malicious actors to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content into the application's response. The flaw is particularly concerning as it affects a core administrative component of cPanel, which serves as the primary interface for system administrators to manage web hosting environments.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of file extension and mime-type parameters that are processed by the mime/handle.html script. When an attacker provides malicious input through these parameters, the application fails to properly sanitize or escape the data before incorporating it into the HTML response sent to the victim's browser. This allows the attacker to inject script tags or other HTML content that executes in the context of the victim's session. The vulnerability is classified as a reflected XSS attack since the malicious payload is reflected back to the user through the application's response without being stored. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79, which specifically addresses improper neutralization of input during web page generation, making it a well-documented and serious web application security flaw. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it requires no authentication to exploit, making it accessible to any remote attacker.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as it provides attackers with the capability to hijack user sessions, steal sensitive administrative credentials, or manipulate the control panel functionality. Since cPanel serves as the administrative interface for web hosting environments, successful exploitation could allow attackers to gain unauthorized access to multiple websites hosted on the same server, potentially compromising entire hosting accounts. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of the web hosting environment, as it enables attackers to execute arbitrary code in the context of authenticated users. This presents a significant risk to both hosting providers and their customers, as it could be leveraged to conduct further attacks within the compromised environment or to establish persistent access points. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059.007 for scripting and T1566.001 for malicious file execution, highlighting its potential for lateral movement and persistent access within compromised systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2006-0574 should focus on implementing robust input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the cPanel application. Organizations should immediately upgrade to patched versions of cPanel that address this vulnerability, as the original version 10 is no longer supported and contains numerous other security flaws. Input sanitization measures must be implemented to ensure that all user-supplied data, particularly file extension and mime-type parameters, are properly validated and escaped before being processed or displayed. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide additional protection against XSS attacks by restricting the sources from which scripts can be loaded. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the web hosting infrastructure. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and monitoring mechanisms can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts, while regular security updates ensure that known vulnerabilities are addressed promptly. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to provide an additional layer of protection against such attacks, particularly in environments where legacy systems cannot be immediately upgraded.