CVE-2006-1891 in betaboard
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Martin Scheffler betaboard 0.1 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via a user s profile, possibly using the FormVal_profile parameter. NOTE: it is not clear whether this is a distributable product or a site-specific vulnerability. If it is site-specific, then it should not be included in CVE.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/24/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-1891 represents a cross-site scripting flaw within Martin Scheffler's betaboard 0.1 web application framework. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is one of the most prevalent and dangerous web application security flaws. The vulnerability specifically affects the user profile handling functionality of the application, where malicious actors can inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content through the FormVal_profile parameter. The affected parameter serves as an entry point for attackers to execute malicious code within the context of other users' browsers, potentially compromising the security of the entire user base.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when the application fails to properly sanitize or validate user input submitted through the FormVal_profile parameter. This parameter is likely used to validate and process user profile information, but due to insufficient input validation mechanisms, attackers can embed malicious scripts that will execute when other users view the compromised profile. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple script injection, as it can potentially enable session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious websites. The XSS attack vector operates through the application's failure to implement proper output encoding or filtering mechanisms that would neutralize malicious input before it is rendered to end users.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations using the betaboard 0.1 framework, particularly those that rely on user-generated content or collaborative features. The potential for widespread impact increases when considering that compromised user profiles could affect multiple users who view the malicious content, creating a chain reaction of security breaches. The vulnerability's severity is compounded by the fact that it allows attackers to execute code in the context of legitimate users' sessions, potentially enabling privilege escalation or data exfiltration. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability aligns with the ATT&CK framework's T1566 technique for initial access through web application attacks, specifically targeting the application's user interface components.
The uncertainty surrounding whether this vulnerability affects a distributable product or is site-specific raises important considerations for vulnerability classification and remediation strategies. If the vulnerability exists in a widely distributed product, it would represent a critical security flaw affecting multiple installations and organizations. However, if it is specific to certain site implementations, it may be better classified as a configuration or deployment issue rather than a fundamental product vulnerability. Organizations should conduct thorough assessments to determine the scope of affected systems and implement appropriate mitigations based on their specific deployment scenarios. The remediation approach should include input validation improvements, output encoding mechanisms, and potentially the implementation of Content Security Policy headers to prevent script execution. Additionally, this vulnerability underscores the critical importance of proper security testing during the development lifecycle and the need for regular security assessments of web applications to identify and address similar XSS vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by malicious actors.