CVE-2006-1903 in Manila
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in UserLand Manila allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML (1) via the referer parameter in sendMail, and via attributes of (2) the A element and certain other HTML elements in web pages edited with the editInBrowser module. NOTE: the msgReader$1 mode attack vector is already covered by CVE-2006-1769.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/10/2017
The CVE-2006-1903 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the UserLand Manila web publishing platform, which was widely used for creating and managing web content in the early 2000s. This vulnerability exposes the platform to remote code execution through malicious script injection attacks that can compromise user sessions and data integrity. The flaw exists in the application's handling of user input within specific HTTP request parameters and HTML element attributes, making it particularly dangerous for web applications that rely on user-generated content processing.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability manifests in three distinct attack vectors that exploit different input handling mechanisms within the Manila platform. The first vector targets the referer parameter within the sendMail functionality, where malicious actors can inject harmful scripts that execute when the application processes the referer header. The second and third vectors exploit the editInBrowser module, specifically targeting attributes of the A element and other HTML elements that users can manipulate when editing web pages through the browser-based interface. These attack surfaces demonstrate a fundamental lack of proper input sanitization and output encoding throughout the application's data flow processing.
The operational impact of CVE-2006-1903 extends beyond simple script injection, as successful exploitation can lead to session hijacking, credential theft, and unauthorized data modification. Attackers can craft malicious URLs or HTML content that, when processed by the vulnerable Manila application, executes arbitrary JavaScript in the context of authenticated user sessions. This creates a persistent threat where compromised users become unwitting participants in further attacks against other users or the application itself. The vulnerability affects not just individual user experiences but can potentially compromise entire web publishing platforms that rely on the Manila framework, particularly in environments where multiple users contribute content.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms across all user-facing interfaces. The solution requires strict sanitization of all HTTP parameters including referer headers, and thorough validation of HTML element attributes before rendering content. Organizations should implement Content Security Policy headers to prevent unauthorized script execution, while also ensuring that all user-generated content is properly escaped before being stored or displayed. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for initial access through malicious web content, emphasizing the need for robust web application security controls and regular security assessments.
The broader implications of this vulnerability highlight the critical importance of secure coding practices in web application development, particularly regarding user input handling and HTML rendering processes. The interconnected nature of these attack vectors demonstrates how seemingly isolated flaws can create cascading security risks within web platforms. Organizations using legacy web publishing systems should prioritize immediate patching or mitigation strategies, as the vulnerability represents a foundational security weakness that could enable more sophisticated attacks beyond simple XSS exploitation. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the ongoing need for comprehensive security testing and input validation mechanisms in web applications to prevent similar flaws from compromising user data and system integrity.