CVE-2006-2364 in ColdFusion
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the validation feature in Macromedia ColdFusion 5 and earlier allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via a "_required" field when the associated normal field is missing or empty, which is not sanitized before being presented in an error message.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/26/2018
The vulnerability described in CVE-2006-2364 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within Macromedia ColdFusion 5 and earlier versions that specifically targets the application's form validation mechanism. This weakness arises from inadequate input sanitization during error message generation when validation fails, creating a pathway for malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts in the context of affected users' browsers. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it leverages the legitimate error reporting functionality of the application framework rather than exploiting a direct code execution flaw.
The technical exploitation occurs when a user submits a form where a required field is missing or empty, triggering ColdFusion's validation system to generate an error message. The system fails to properly sanitize the "_required" field value before displaying it in the error message context, allowing malicious input to be rendered as executable script code. This represents a failure in proper output encoding and input validation practices that aligns with CWE-79 - Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation. The vulnerability specifically manifests in the validation feature where user-supplied data enters the error handling pathway without appropriate sanitization.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability enables remote attackers to perform session hijacking, defacement of web applications, and data theft by injecting malicious scripts that can capture user credentials or manipulate browser behavior. The attack requires no special privileges or authentication, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by anyone who can submit forms to the vulnerable ColdFusion application. The flaw can be weaponized to deliver malware through browser-based attacks, potentially compromising user sessions and enabling further lateral movement within network environments. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1566.001 - Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment, as attackers can craft malicious form submissions that will execute upon page load.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include implementing proper input sanitization and output encoding throughout the application's validation and error reporting mechanisms. Organizations should ensure that all user-supplied data is properly escaped or encoded before being rendered in error messages or any dynamic content. The most effective remediation involves upgrading to a supported version of ColdFusion where these validation flaws have been addressed. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and content security policies can provide additional layers of protection. Security teams should also conduct regular vulnerability assessments focusing on form validation and error handling components, as this type of vulnerability often indicates broader input validation weaknesses that may exist elsewhere in the application stack. The remediation approach should align with industry best practices for preventing XSS vulnerabilities as outlined in OWASP Top 10 and NIST cybersecurity frameworks, emphasizing the importance of defense-in-depth strategies for web application security.