CVE-2006-2160 in Loginphp
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Russcom Network Loginphp (Russcom.Loginphp) allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the username field when registering.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/08/2017
The CVE-2006-2160 vulnerability represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw in the Russcom Network Loginphp application, specifically affecting the user registration process. This vulnerability resides in the username field validation mechanism, where insufficient input sanitization permits malicious actors to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content during account creation. The flaw demonstrates a fundamental weakness in the application's data handling procedures, where user-supplied input flows directly into the web response without proper encoding or validation measures.
This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is classified as a critical security weakness in web applications. The attack vector specifically targets the registration functionality, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited during the initial user onboarding process. When a victim registers with a malicious username containing script tags, these payloads can be executed in the context of other users' browsers who view the compromised username. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be exploited through various methods including reflected and stored XSS techniques, depending on how the application processes and displays the username data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform session hijacking, steal sensitive user information, redirect users to malicious sites, or even execute administrative actions if the compromised user has elevated privileges. The stored nature of the XSS payload means that once a malicious username is registered, it will persist in the application's database and affect all users who encounter it, making the attack particularly insidious. This vulnerability directly violates the principle of least privilege and can be leveraged for privilege escalation attacks, especially when combined with other weaknesses in the authentication system.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2006-2160 must focus on implementing robust input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application's data flow. The most effective approach involves sanitizing all user inputs using allow-list validation techniques, where only known good characters and patterns are permitted in the username field. Additionally, implementing proper HTML encoding of all dynamic content before rendering it in web pages prevents script execution even if malicious content bypasses initial validation. The application should also employ Content Security Policy headers to provide an additional layer of protection against XSS attacks. Security professionals should consider implementing the principle of defense in depth, combining multiple controls including web application firewalls, regular security code reviews, and comprehensive penetration testing to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities across the entire application stack. This vulnerability also highlights the importance of following secure coding practices as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly in the context of web application security and user input handling.