CVE-2006-2885 in KnowledgeTree
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in KnowledgeTree Open Source 3.0.3 and earlier allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) fDocumentId parameter in view.php and the (2) fSearchableText parameter in /search/simpleSearch.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/28/2018
The vulnerability described in CVE-2006-2885 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting KnowledgeTree Open Source version 3.0.3 and earlier releases. This vulnerability exposes the application to remote code execution through malicious web script injection, potentially compromising user sessions and enabling unauthorized access to sensitive information. The flaw manifests in two distinct attack vectors within the application's core functionality, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited through multiple entry points.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output sanitization within the KnowledgeTree application's document viewing and search functionalities. Specifically, the fDocumentId parameter in view.php and the fSearchableText parameter in search/simpleSearch.php fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data before rendering it within web pages. This allows attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code or HTML content that executes in the context of other users' browsers when they access the affected pages. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-79, which defines cross-site scripting as a weakness where untrusted data is incorporated into web page content without proper validation or escaping mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to perform session hijacking, steal sensitive user credentials, redirect users to malicious websites, or even modify content within the application. When exploited, these XSS vulnerabilities can lead to complete compromise of user accounts and potentially provide attackers with access to the underlying system if proper security controls are not in place. The vulnerability affects the core document management functionality of KnowledgeTree, making it particularly dangerous for organizations that rely on the platform for storing and sharing sensitive documents. This type of vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566, which covers social engineering through malicious content delivery, and T1059, which involves executing malicious code through web-based interfaces.
Organizations utilizing KnowledgeTree Open Source versions 3.0.3 or earlier should immediately implement multiple layers of mitigation strategies to protect against exploitation. The primary remediation involves upgrading to a patched version of the KnowledgeTree application where input validation and output sanitization have been properly implemented. Additionally, implementing proper parameter validation at the application level, including input sanitization and output encoding, can effectively prevent malicious code injection. Security headers such as Content Security Policy should be configured to restrict script execution and prevent unauthorized content loading. Network-based protections including web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional defense-in-depth measures, though they should not be relied upon as the sole mitigation strategy. Regular security assessments and code reviews focusing on input validation practices should be conducted to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in other application components.