CVE-2006-0820 in Dwarf HTTP Server
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Dwarf HTTP Server 1.3.2 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified error messages.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/15/2019
The CVE-2006-0820 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Dwarf HTTP Server version 1.3.2, exposing web applications to significant security risks through improper input validation mechanisms. This vulnerability specifically manifests when the server processes error messages, failing to adequately sanitize user-supplied data before incorporating it into web responses. The flaw enables remote attackers to inject malicious scripts or HTML code that executes within the context of other users' browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, data theft, or unauthorized actions performed on behalf of victims. The vulnerability stems from the server's inability to properly escape or filter special characters in error message content, creating an attack surface where malicious input can be interpreted as executable code by web browsers.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting vulnerabilities through improper neutralization of input during web page generation. When the Dwarf HTTP Server encounters certain error conditions, it incorporates user-provided parameters directly into error messages without appropriate sanitization measures, creating a pathway for attackers to execute malicious scripts. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the HTTP server level, affecting all applications hosted on the server regardless of their individual security implementations. Attackers can exploit this by crafting malicious input that triggers error conditions, causing the server to reflect the malicious code back to users who then execute it within their browser context.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, potentially enabling sophisticated attack chains that leverage the compromised server as a staging ground for more advanced threats. Remote attackers can construct payloads that exploit the XSS vulnerability to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or perform actions that appear to originate from the legitimate server. This creates a significant risk for web applications that rely on the Dwarf HTTP Server, as the vulnerability affects the fundamental security posture of all hosted applications. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it requires minimal privileges and can be executed through standard web browser interactions, making it accessible to attackers with basic technical skills while maintaining persistent access to target environments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2006-0820 should prioritize immediate patching of the Dwarf HTTP Server to version 1.3.3 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for proper input sanitization. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms at multiple layers of their web application architecture, ensuring that all user-supplied data is properly escaped before being incorporated into any web responses. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide additional protection against script execution, while regular security auditing of web server configurations should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities. Network-based protections such as web application firewalls can help detect and block malicious payloads attempting to exploit this vulnerability, though these measures should complement rather than replace proper code-level fixes. Organizations should also establish robust monitoring procedures to detect unusual error message patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, and maintain up-to-date vulnerability assessments to prevent similar issues from emerging in other components of their web infrastructure. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and output encoding practices, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and script injection, and emphasizing the fundamental security principle that all user input must be treated as untrusted and properly sanitized before processing.