CVE-2006-2396 in phpODP
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in phpODP 1.5h allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script via the browse parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/12/2021
The vulnerability described in CVE-2006-2396 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the phpODP 1.5h web application, specifically targeting the browse parameter handling mechanism. This 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 phpODP application, designed for document processing and presentation, fails to properly sanitize user input when processing the browse parameter, creating an exploitable condition that allows remote attackers to inject malicious web scripts into the application's response.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious URL containing script code within the browse parameter value. When the vulnerable application processes this input without proper sanitization or output encoding, the injected script gets executed within the context of other users' browsers who subsequently access the affected page. This type of vulnerability enables attackers to perform various malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, data exfiltration, and redirection to malicious sites. The flaw demonstrates a critical failure in input validation and output encoding practices, where the application trustingly incorporates user-supplied data into its web responses without adequate security measures.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can lead to complete compromise of user sessions and potential data breaches within the phpODP environment. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to steal cookies, session tokens, and potentially access sensitive information processed by the application. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation does not require local system access or physical proximity, making it particularly dangerous for web applications accessible over the internet. From an attacker's perspective, this vulnerability provides a straightforward path to persistent access and data manipulation within the target environment.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application. The recommended approach involves sanitizing all user-supplied input through whitelisting techniques or comprehensive encoding before incorporating it into web responses. The application should employ context-appropriate output encoding for different data contexts including HTML, JavaScript, and URL parameters. Additionally, implementing a Content Security Policy (CSP) header can provide an additional layer of protection against script injection attacks. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for Initial Access through Phishing and T1059.001 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, demonstrating how XSS flaws can serve as entry points for broader attack campaigns. Organizations should also implement regular security testing including automated vulnerability scanning and manual penetration testing to identify similar input validation weaknesses in their web applications.