CVE-2006-0726 in Dragonfly CMS
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in linking.php in CPG-Nuke Dragonfly CMS 9.0.6.1 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via a URI that is generated when creating a list of online users.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/05/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-0726 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the CPG-Nuke Dragonfly CMS version 9.0.6.1, specifically affecting the linking.php component. This vulnerability resides in the application's handling of user-generated content within the online user listing functionality, creating a persistent security risk that can be exploited by remote attackers without requiring any authentication or privileged access. The flaw manifests when the system processes and displays user information in a URI context, allowing malicious actors to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML code that executes in the context of other users' browsers.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding within the linking.php script. When the CMS generates a list of online users, it fails to properly sanitize user-provided data before incorporating it into dynamically generated URIs. This insufficient sanitization creates an environment where attackers can craft malicious payloads that, when processed by the vulnerable application, execute within the browser context of unsuspecting users. The vulnerability specifically targets the URI generation process during online user enumeration, making it particularly dangerous as it occurs in a context where user data is frequently accessed and displayed.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it enables attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, and data exfiltration. An attacker could inject malicious JavaScript that captures user session cookies, redirects victims to phishing sites, or modifies the content of the affected web page to display fraudulent information. The persistent nature of the vulnerability means that any user who views the online user list could be exposed to the injected code, potentially affecting multiple users simultaneously. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where multiple users interact with the CMS simultaneously.
Security professionals should note that this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, and represents a classic example of improper output encoding in web applications. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a web application attack vector under the technique of "Command and Control" where attackers can establish persistent access through malicious script injection. Organizations utilizing Dragonfly CMS version 9.0.6.1 should immediately implement mitigations including input validation, output encoding, and the application of security patches. The recommended remediation involves proper sanitization of all user inputs, implementation of Content Security Policy headers, and thorough code review to ensure that all dynamic URI generation processes properly escape special characters and validate input data before processing.
The broader implications of this vulnerability highlight the critical importance of input validation and output encoding in web application security. Modern security practices emphasize the need for defense-in-depth approaches that include multiple layers of protection, including regular security assessments, code reviews, and adherence to secure coding standards. Organizations should implement automated scanning tools to identify similar vulnerabilities in their web applications and establish robust patch management processes to ensure timely remediation of discovered security flaws. This vulnerability serves as a reminder that even seemingly minor components within web applications can create significant security risks when proper security controls are not implemented.