CVE-2006-2750 in Open Searchable Image Catalogue
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the do_mysql_query function in core.php for Open Searchable Image Catalogue (OSIC) before 0.7.0.1 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML via failed SQL queries, which is reflected in an error message.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/09/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-2750 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Open Searchable Image Catalogue (OSIC) content management system. This vulnerability specifically affects versions prior to 0.7.0.1 and resides within the do_mysql_query function located in the core.php file. The flaw enables remote attackers to execute malicious web scripts or HTML code through a sophisticated attack vector that exploits error handling mechanisms within the application. The vulnerability manifests when SQL query failures occur, as the system reflects the malformed input directly into error messages displayed to users without proper sanitization or encoding.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic XSS attack pattern where user-supplied input that is not properly validated or escaped flows directly into the application's output context. When a SQL query fails, the system generates an error message that includes the original user input, creating an environment where malicious scripts can be injected and executed in the context of other users' browsers. This occurs because the do_mysql_query function fails to implement proper input sanitization before incorporating user data into error messages, creating a direct pathway for attackers to inject malicious payloads that persist in the application's error reporting mechanism.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with the capability to perform session hijacking, defacement of the image catalog, and potential data exfiltration from users interacting with the compromised system. Attackers can craft malicious SQL queries designed to trigger error conditions that contain their payload, which then gets executed whenever other users view the error messages. This vulnerability particularly affects web applications that rely on user input for database operations, where error handling becomes a critical security control. The flaw aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting vulnerabilities, and represents a failure in input validation and output encoding practices that are fundamental to secure web application development.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of proper input sanitization and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application's error handling processes. The most effective approach involves implementing strict input validation on all user-supplied data before it enters any database query operations, combined with proper HTML entity encoding of all dynamic content that appears in error messages and other user-facing interfaces. Additionally, developers should implement comprehensive error handling that prevents raw user input from being displayed in error messages, instead utilizing generic error messages that do not expose internal system details or user data. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and content security policies to provide additional layers of protection against such attacks. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of following secure coding practices and proper error handling procedures as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten security framework and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1213, which addresses data from information repositories, specifically targeting the exploitation of application vulnerabilities for unauthorized access and data manipulation.