CVE-2006-0699 in QWikiWiki
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in search.php in QWikiWiki 1.5, and possibly 1.5.1 and other versions, allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the query parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/19/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-0699 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the QWikiWiki content management system version 1.5 and potentially 1.5.1. This security weakness resides in the search.php script which fails to properly sanitize user input before rendering it within web pages. The vulnerability specifically targets the query parameter, allowing malicious actors to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML code that executes in the context of other users' browsers. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category known as "Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting')", which is one of the most prevalent and dangerous web application security flaws recognized by the CWE standard. The attack vector enables remote code execution within user sessions without requiring authentication or privileged access to the system.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious URL containing script code within the query parameter of the search.php endpoint. When unsuspecting users navigate to this crafted link or when the malicious input is processed through the search functionality, the injected script executes in the victim's browser context. This can result in session hijacking, credential theft, data manipulation, or redirection to malicious websites. The flaw demonstrates a failure in input validation and output encoding practices, where user-supplied data flows directly into HTML output without proper sanitization or context-appropriate escaping mechanisms. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple script execution as it can be leveraged to create persistent XSS attacks through stored input mechanisms or to perform more sophisticated attacks like CSRF exploitation.
The operational implications of this vulnerability are significant for organizations relying on QWikiWiki for collaborative content management and knowledge sharing. Attackers can exploit this flaw to compromise user sessions, steal sensitive information, or manipulate content within the wiki system. The remote nature of the attack means that malicious actors can target users from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access or network proximity to the affected system. This vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of information stored within the wiki environment, potentially allowing unauthorized modifications to documents, injection of malicious content, or redirection of user traffic. The vulnerability also undermines user trust in the system as users may unknowingly execute malicious code while performing routine search operations, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where wiki systems are used for internal documentation and collaboration.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2006-0699 should focus on implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the QWikiWiki application. The most effective immediate solution involves sanitizing all user input parameters, particularly those used in search functionality, by implementing context-appropriate escaping before rendering any content. Organizations should implement Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution capabilities and prevent unauthorized code injection. Additionally, upgrading to patched versions of QWikiWiki or implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious script injection attempts provides layered defense. The remediation process should include comprehensive code review to ensure all input parameters are properly validated and escaped, following secure coding practices outlined in OWASP Top 10 and NIST guidelines. Regular security testing including automated scanning and manual penetration testing helps identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the web application stack. Organizations should also consider implementing user education programs to raise awareness about recognizing potentially malicious links and the importance of keeping software updated. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation and output encoding in preventing XSS attacks, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1566 for Phishing, as the attack often begins with social engineering to lure users into executing malicious payloads.