CVE-2006-1202 in textfileBB
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in textfileBB 1.0 and earlier allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) mess and (2) user parameters in messanger.php, possibly requiring a URL encoded value.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/21/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-1202 represents a critical security flaw in textfileBB version 1.0 and earlier, a web-based bulletin board system that was widely used for online forums and discussion platforms. This vulnerability manifests as multiple cross-site scripting vulnerabilities that exist within the application's handling of user input parameters, specifically affecting the messanger.php script. The presence of these vulnerabilities indicates a fundamental weakness in the application's input validation and output sanitization mechanisms, which are critical components of secure web application development practices.
The technical flaw occurs when the application fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input before rendering it in web pages. Specifically, the mess and user parameters within the messanger.php file do not undergo adequate validation or encoding processes, allowing malicious actors to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML code. This vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be exploited remotely without requiring any special privileges or authentication. The attack vector requires URL encoding of malicious payloads, which suggests that the vulnerability can be triggered through standard web browser interactions, making it accessible to a broad range of potential attackers. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79, which represents Cross-site Scripting (XSS) flaws, and specifically aligns with the category of reflected XSS attacks where malicious scripts are reflected off the web server to the victim's browser.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for any organization or individual utilizing textfileBB 1.0 or earlier versions. Successful exploitation could enable attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of victims' browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or unauthorized actions performed on behalf of users. The reflected nature of the vulnerability means that users who click on malicious links or visit compromised pages could unknowingly execute attacker-controlled code, making this a persistent threat in environments where users interact with forum content. This vulnerability could also be leveraged to deface websites, steal sensitive information, or redirect users to malicious sites, fundamentally compromising the security and integrity of the affected systems.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate input validation and output encoding measures. The most effective approach involves implementing proper sanitization of all user input parameters, particularly those used in dynamic content generation. This includes encoding special characters and validating input against expected formats before processing. Organizations should upgrade to a supported version of textfileBB that addresses these vulnerabilities, as the affected versions are no longer maintained or updated. The remediation process should also include implementing Content Security Policy headers to prevent unauthorized script execution, and conducting comprehensive security testing to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications. Additionally, this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to the principle of least privilege in web application development, which aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 for Exploitation for Credential Access and T1566 for Phishing for Information. Regular security assessments and input validation reviews should be implemented to prevent similar issues in future development cycles, ensuring that applications properly handle untrusted data and maintain user security.