CVE-2006-2415 in FlexChat
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in FlexChat 2.0 and earlier allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) username and (2) CFTOKEN parameter in (a) index.cfm and (3) CFTOKEN and (4) CFID parameter in (b) chat.cfm.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/26/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-2415 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting FlexChat 2.0 and earlier versions, demonstrating a fundamental weakness in input validation and output encoding mechanisms within web applications. This vulnerability resides in the core chat application's handling of user-provided parameters, specifically targeting the username field and multiple token parameters that are essential for session management and user identification. The flaw allows remote attackers to execute malicious scripts within the context of other users' browsers, creating a significant security risk for all participants in the chat environment.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate sanitization of user inputs across multiple entry points within the application's codebase. When users submit data through the index.cfm page, the username parameter and CFTOKEN parameter are not properly validated or escaped before being rendered back to the browser. Similarly, the chat.cfm page accepts CFID and CFTOKEN parameters without sufficient input filtering, creating multiple attack vectors for malicious actors. These parameters are typically used for session tracking and security token validation, making them particularly attractive targets for attackers seeking to exploit the application's trust model. The vulnerability operates under CWE-79 which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws, where improper neutralization of input during web page generation creates opportunities for attackers to inject malicious scripts.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, potentially enabling attackers to hijack user sessions, steal sensitive information, manipulate chat content, and compromise the integrity of the entire communication platform. An attacker could craft malicious usernames containing script tags that would execute whenever other users view the chat interface, leading to session theft through cookie harvesting or redirection to malicious sites. The presence of multiple vulnerable parameters increases the attack surface significantly, as different exploitation techniques can be employed depending on which parameter is targeted. This vulnerability directly violates the principle of least privilege and trust boundaries within web applications, as it allows unauthenticated remote code execution in the context of legitimate users' browsers.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of comprehensive input validation and output encoding practices across all user-facing parameters. The most effective approach involves implementing strict input sanitization routines that filter or escape special characters before any data is processed or displayed. Organizations should deploy proper Content Security Policy headers to prevent unauthorized script execution, while also implementing proper parameter validation that rejects suspicious input patterns. Additionally, the application should utilize secure session management practices that do not rely on predictable token values that can be manipulated by attackers. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 which covers phishing with malicious attachments, as attackers could leverage the XSS flaw to deliver malicious payloads through seemingly legitimate chat interactions. Regular security audits and input validation testing should be implemented to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in future iterations of the application, while also ensuring that all web application components follow secure coding practices that align with OWASP Top 10 security guidelines.