CVE-2006-0875 in RunCMS
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting vulnerability in ratefile.php in RunCMS 1.3a5 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the lid parameter.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/19/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-0875 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the RunCMS content management system version 1.3a5. This vulnerability specifically affects the ratefile.php component which handles user rating functionality within the system. The issue arises from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly filter malicious content submitted through the lid parameter, creating an exploitable entry point for remote attackers. The flaw enables malicious actors to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML code into the application's response, potentially compromising user sessions and data integrity.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious URL containing script code within the lid parameter of the ratefile.php endpoint. When a victim accesses this crafted URL, the malicious script executes within the victim's browser context, leveraging the trust relationship between the user and the vulnerable application. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws in web applications, where improper validation of user-supplied input leads to the execution of malicious code. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic lack of proper output encoding and input sanitization practices that are fundamental to preventing XSS attacks.
The operational impact of CVE-2006-0875 extends beyond simple script injection, potentially allowing attackers to perform session hijacking, deface the website, steal sensitive information, or redirect users to malicious sites. Since RunCMS was a popular content management solution in the mid-2000s, this vulnerability could have affected numerous websites relying on the platform. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation does not require physical access to the target system, making it particularly dangerous for web applications. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to execute commands on behalf of authenticated users or manipulate the application's behavior through persistent script injection.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms. The most effective immediate solution involves sanitizing all user input parameters, particularly the lid parameter in this case, by removing or encoding potentially dangerous characters such as angle brackets, script tags, and javascript protocols. Implementing proper HTML entity encoding when displaying user-supplied content prevents script execution in the browser context. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing Content Security Policy headers to restrict script execution and utilize web application firewalls to detect and block malicious payloads. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 which covers Scripting through web shells and malicious script injection, highlighting the importance of robust input validation in preventing such attacks. The remediation efforts should also include regular security audits and code reviews to identify similar patterns of inadequate input sanitization that could lead to additional vulnerabilities in the application's codebase.