CVE-2006-2956 in i.List
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in i.List 1.5 beta and earlier allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) searchword parameter to search.php or (2) siteurl parameter to add.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/28/2018
The vulnerability described in CVE-2006-2956 represents a critical cross-site scripting weakness affecting i.List version 1.5 beta and earlier installations. This security flaw resides in the web application's handling of user-supplied input parameters, specifically targeting two distinct entry points within the application's functionality. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-provided data before incorporating it into web page responses. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious payloads that leverage the vulnerable parameters to inject arbitrary HTML and JavaScript code into the application's response pages.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through two primary vectors that demonstrate poor input sanitization practices. The first attack vector targets the searchword parameter in search.php, where user input is directly incorporated into the page response without proper sanitization. The second vector targets the siteurl parameter in add.php, where similar unsanitized input handling allows attackers to inject malicious content. Both vectors represent classic XSS attack patterns where the application fails to properly encode or validate input data before rendering it in the browser context. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications and falls under the broader category of injection vulnerabilities that compromise application security.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as it provides attackers with the capability to execute arbitrary code within the context of authenticated users' browsers. When exploited, these XSS vulnerabilities enable attackers to perform session hijacking, steal cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or inject malicious content that can persist across multiple user sessions. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of user data, as attackers can access session tokens and potentially gain unauthorized access to user accounts. The impact is particularly severe in environments where users trust the application with sensitive information, as the attack can be executed without requiring any privileged access or authentication.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application. The most effective approach involves sanitizing all user-supplied input parameters before processing or rendering them in web responses, with particular emphasis on HTML encoding special characters such as <, >, &, ", and '. The application should implement proper parameter validation using allowlists of acceptable characters and lengths, while also employing Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution. Additionally, developers should adopt secure coding practices that include automatic output encoding for all dynamic content, implement proper session management, and establish regular security testing procedures including input validation checks. These measures align with ATT&CK technique T1203 which describes the exploitation of web application vulnerabilities for code execution and session manipulation. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation and output encoding as fundamental security controls that prevent injection attacks and maintain application integrity.