CVE-2006-2084 in FarsiNews
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in FarsiNews 2.5.3 Pro and earlier allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) month and (2) year parameters in (a) index.php, and the (3) mod parameter in (b) admin.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/25/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-2084 represents a critical cross-site scripting weakness affecting FarsiNews 2.5.3 Pro and earlier versions of this content management system. This flaw exists within the web application's input validation mechanisms, specifically targeting parameters used in the application's core functionality. The vulnerability stems from insufficient sanitization of user-supplied data before it is processed and rendered back to users through web pages, creating an exploitable condition that allows malicious actors to execute arbitrary scripts in the context of affected users' browsers.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through three distinct parameter injection points within the application's codebase. The first vector involves the month and year parameters within index.php, while the second vulnerability exists in the mod parameter of admin.php. These parameters are directly incorporated into the application's output without proper HTML entity encoding or script validation, allowing attackers to inject malicious payloads that persist in the application's response. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79 as a failure to sanitize input, specifically manifesting as a reflected cross-site scripting attack where malicious code is executed when users view the affected pages.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, creating potential for significant security breaches within the affected system. Attackers can leverage these XSS vectors to steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of users, redirect victims to malicious sites, or even escalate privileges within the application. The vulnerability affects both frontend and backend interfaces, as demonstrated by the inclusion of the admin.php file in the attack surface. This dual exposure increases the potential damage, as successful exploitation could provide attackers with administrative access or sensitive information disclosure.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in the context of the broader ATT&CK framework, specifically under the T1059.007 technique for Scripting and T1566 for Phishing, as attackers can use these XSS vulnerabilities to craft convincing phishing campaigns or establish persistent access through session hijacking. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal technical skill and can be automated through various attack frameworks, making it particularly dangerous in environments with less sophisticated security monitoring. Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems, as the vulnerability has existed since 2006 and represents a well-known weakness in legacy web applications. Implementing proper input validation, output encoding, and regular security assessments would provide comprehensive protection against similar vulnerabilities, aligning with industry best practices for web application security and the OWASP Top Ten security requirements.