CVE-2006-0941 in ShoutLIVE
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in post.php in ShoutLIVE 1.1.0 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via certain variables when posting new messages.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/08/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-0941 affects ShoutLIVE version 1.1.0 and represents a critical cross-site scripting weakness that enables remote attackers to execute malicious code through web scripts or HTML injection. This vulnerability specifically targets the post.php script within the application, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to compromise user sessions and data integrity. The flaw resides in the insufficient sanitization of user input parameters during message posting operations, creating an exploitable pathway for malicious actors to inject harmful content into the application's web interface.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly validate and sanitize input variables within the post.php script. When users submit new messages through the shoutbox functionality, the application processes these inputs without adequate filtering mechanisms to prevent malicious payload injection. This weakness allows attackers to craft specially formatted messages containing javascript code or html tags that get executed in the browsers of other users who view the compromised content. The vulnerability manifests across multiple variables within the posting mechanism, indicating a systemic issue in input handling rather than isolated parameter flaws.
From an operational impact perspective, this XSS vulnerability creates significant risks for both end users and system administrators. Users who view infected messages may experience session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious websites. The vulnerability undermines the trust model of the web application by allowing unauthorized code execution within user browsers. Attackers can leverage this weakness to perform actions such as stealing cookies, redirecting users to phishing sites, or defacing the shoutbox content. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it requires no authentication or privileged access, making it accessible to anyone who can submit messages through the public interface.
Security professionals should address this vulnerability by implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the application's message handling components. The recommended remediation involves sanitizing all user-supplied input through strict validation filters that remove or escape potentially dangerous characters and patterns. Organizations should also implement proper content security policies to prevent script execution within the application context. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and represents a classic example of how inadequate input validation leads to severe web application security risks. The remediation strategy should follow established secure coding practices and application security frameworks to prevent similar issues in future development cycles.
The broader implications of this vulnerability extend beyond immediate exploitation potential to highlight fundamental security weaknesses in web application design and implementation. Organizations must recognize that XSS vulnerabilities like CVE-2006-0941 often indicate deeper issues in security architecture and development practices. The attack surface of web applications should be continuously evaluated for similar input validation gaps, and comprehensive security testing including automated scanning and manual penetration testing should be integrated into development lifecycle processes. This vulnerability serves as a reminder that even seemingly simple web applications can contain critical security flaws that expose users to significant risk when proper security controls are not implemented.