CVE-2006-1295 in SPIP
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in recherche.php3 in SPIP 1.8.2-g allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the recherche parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/08/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-1295 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the SPIP content management system version 1.8.2-g. This particular weakness resides in the recherche.php3 script which processes user input through the recherche parameter, creating an exploitable vector for malicious code injection. The vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, specifically representing a stored XSS variant where attacker-controlled content can be executed within the context of other users' browsers. SPIP, being a French open-source CMS, was widely used for website content management and this vulnerability would have exposed numerous websites to potential exploitation by threat actors seeking to compromise user sessions or deliver malicious payloads.
The technical mechanism of exploitation involves the improper sanitization of user-supplied input within the recherche parameter. When users submit search queries through the affected interface, the application fails to adequately validate or escape the input before rendering it back to the browser. This allows an attacker to craft malicious payloads containing HTML tags or JavaScript code that gets executed in the victim's browser when they view the search results page. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it enables attackers to execute code within the security context of legitimate users, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites. The attack requires no privileged access and can be executed through simple web browser interactions, making it highly accessible to attackers with basic technical knowledge.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it fundamentally compromises the integrity of user sessions and website security. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to steal cookies, session tokens, or other sensitive information from authenticated users, potentially leading to full account compromise. The vulnerability also enables the delivery of phishing content or malware through the compromised website, affecting the trust relationship between the site and its visitors. Given that SPIP was commonly used for government and educational websites, the potential for widespread impact was significant, as these organizations often handle sensitive data and user information. The vulnerability would have been particularly concerning in environments where users had administrative privileges, as it could lead to complete system compromise.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on input validation and output encoding practices that align with established security frameworks. The primary defense involves implementing proper parameter sanitization and HTML escaping mechanisms within the recherche.php3 script to prevent malicious content from being executed. Organizations should also consider implementing Content Security Policy headers to limit the execution of unauthorized scripts within the application context. Additionally, regular security audits and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other parts of the application. The remediation process should include thorough testing to ensure that input validation does not break legitimate functionality while effectively blocking malicious payloads. This vulnerability highlights the importance of following secure coding practices as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and demonstrates the critical need for regular security updates and vulnerability assessments in content management systems.