CVE-2006-0933 in PHPX
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in PHPX 3.5.9 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via a javascript URI in a url XCode tag in a posted message. NOTE: the provenance of this information is unknown; the details are obtained solely from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/20/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-0933 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in PHPX version 3.5.9, a web application framework that was widely used for building dynamic websites and web applications. This vulnerability specifically targets the handling of user input within the XCode tag processing functionality, creating a pathway for malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code in the context of other users' browsers. The issue stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the application's message processing system, where user-provided content containing javascript URIs within XCode tags is not properly sanitized before being rendered to end users.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious message containing a javascript URI within an XCode tag structure, which is then processed and displayed by the PHPX application. The flaw lies in the application's failure to properly escape or filter special characters and script execution directives that are typically used in XSS attacks. When the vulnerable application renders the message, the malicious javascript code gets executed in the browser context of legitimate users who view the affected content. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting vulnerabilities, where the application fails to properly validate or sanitize user-supplied data before incorporating it into dynamically generated web pages. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it allows attackers to inject malicious scripts that can steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of users, or redirect them to malicious websites.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable sophisticated attack vectors that compromise user privacy and application integrity. An attacker could potentially steal authentication tokens, session identifiers, or sensitive user data from the application's user base. The vulnerability affects any user who views the maliciously crafted content, making it particularly dangerous in environments where user-generated content is prevalent and where administrators cannot adequately monitor or filter all posted material. This flaw represents a classic example of how insufficient input validation in web applications can create persistent security risks that affect all users of the platform. The attack can be executed remotely without requiring any special privileges or access to the application server itself, making it particularly attractive to threat actors seeking to compromise large user bases.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application's data processing pipeline. The most effective immediate solution involves implementing proper HTML escaping and sanitization of all user-provided content before rendering it in web pages, particularly when processing tags and markup elements. Organizations should also consider implementing Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution capabilities and prevent unauthorized code injection. Regular security audits and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components, and developers should follow secure coding practices that emphasize the principle of least privilege and input validation. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security measures and the necessity of implementing robust sanitization routines for all user-facing application features. The remediation approach should align with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 which covers the use of scripting languages for execution, as the vulnerability enables attackers to leverage scripting capabilities through user input. Additionally, implementing proper security controls such as web application firewalls and regular penetration testing can help identify and prevent similar vulnerabilities in other components of the application stack.