CVE-2006-2850 in LabWiki
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in recentchanges.php in PHP Labware LabWiki 1.0 and earlier allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the help parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/28/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-2850 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the PHP Labware LabWiki 1.0 software ecosystem. This issue manifests in the recentchanges.php script where insufficient input validation allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content through the help parameter. The vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly sanitize user-supplied input before incorporating it into dynamically generated web pages, creating an exploitable vector for malicious code execution within the context of affected user sessions.
The technical implementation of this XSS vulnerability operates through parameter manipulation within the web application's request handling mechanism. When the help parameter is passed to recentchanges.php without appropriate sanitization or encoding, the application directly incorporates this input into the HTML output stream. This omission creates an environment where attackers can embed malicious JavaScript code or HTML tags that execute in the browsers of unsuspecting users who view the affected page. The vulnerability is classified as a reflected XSS attack since the malicious payload is reflected back to users through the application's response without being stored on the server.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, potentially enabling attackers to perform session hijacking, steal sensitive user information, redirect victims to malicious sites, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. The affected environment represents a typical web-based collaborative platform where users expect to interact with trusted content, making the exploitation particularly dangerous as users are less likely to suspect malicious activity in familiar interfaces. This vulnerability undermines the fundamental security principle of input validation and demonstrates the critical importance of proper output encoding in web applications.
Organizations utilizing PHP Labware LabWiki 1.0 or earlier versions face significant risk from this vulnerability, as it provides attackers with a straightforward path to compromise user sessions and potentially escalate privileges within the application environment. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in software applications. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1566.001 (Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment) and T1566.002 (Phishing: Spearphishing Link) as attackers can craft malicious links that exploit this vulnerability to deliver payloads to unsuspecting users. The remediation strategy should focus on implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms, specifically ensuring that all user-supplied parameters are sanitized before being incorporated into web page content. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy headers and adopting secure coding practices that enforce proper parameter handling will significantly reduce the attack surface and prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in future deployments.