CVE-2006-0983 in QwikiWiki
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in index.php in QwikiWiki 1.4 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the page parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/20/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-0983 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the QwikiWiki 1.4 content management system, specifically affecting the index.php script. This vulnerability resides in the handling of user-supplied input through the page parameter, creating a pathway for malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of other users' browsers. The flaw demonstrates a critical weakness in input validation and output encoding mechanisms that are fundamental to web application security.
The technical implementation of this XSS vulnerability occurs when the application fails to properly sanitize or escape user input before incorporating it into dynamically generated web pages. When a user submits content through the page parameter, the QwikiWiki application processes this input without adequate protection measures, allowing attackers to inject malicious scripts that execute in the victim's browser. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws, where the weakness enables attackers to inject client-side scripts into web pages viewed by other users. The attack vector is particularly dangerous as it leverages the trust relationship between the web application and its users, allowing malicious code execution in the context of the victim's session.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it provides attackers with the capability to steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of users, redirect victims to malicious websites, or even harvest sensitive information from authenticated sessions. Given that QwikiWiki operates as a wiki platform, the vulnerability could be exploited to deface web pages, propagate malicious content across multiple user-accessible documents, or establish persistent backdoors within the application environment. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation can occur from any location without requiring physical access to the system, making it particularly attractive to attackers seeking broad impact with minimal effort.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2006-0983 should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding practices that align with established security frameworks. The most effective approach involves sanitizing all user-supplied input through proper escaping mechanisms before incorporating it into web page content, particularly when dealing with parameters like the page variable in this case. Security controls should include the implementation of Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution, regular input validation routines that reject suspicious characters or patterns, and proper output encoding for all dynamic content generation. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious input patterns, while regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of adhering to secure coding practices as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, specifically focusing on client-side script injection attacks that leverage web application weaknesses.