CVE-2006-2968 in LabWiki
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in search.php in PHP Labware LabWiki 1.0 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the search input box (query parameter).
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/28/2018
This cross-site scripting vulnerability exists in PHP Labware LabWiki version 1.0 within the search.php script where user input from the search query parameter is not properly sanitized or validated before being rendered back to the user interface. The flaw represents a classic reflected XSS attack vector where malicious input injected through the search box parameter is executed in the victim's browser context without proper output encoding or validation mechanisms. The vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses improper neutralization of input during web page generation, making it a direct implementation of the common web application security weakness pattern. Attackers can exploit this by crafting malicious payloads that when submitted through the search functionality will be reflected back to other users who view the search results page, potentially executing malicious scripts in their browsers.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution as it can enable attackers to steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of users, redirect victims to malicious sites, or even install malware through browser-based exploits. The reflected nature of this XSS means that the attack requires user interaction to be effective, typically through social engineering where victims are tricked into clicking malicious links containing the exploit payload. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous in a laboratory environment where sensitive research data and proprietary information may be accessible through the LabWiki application, potentially allowing attackers to gain unauthorized access to confidential information or disrupt laboratory operations. The vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1566.001 which covers social engineering through spearphishing with a link, as attackers can craft malicious search queries that appear legitimate to users.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability involve implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application's data flow. The most effective approach is to sanitize all user input through proper encoding before rendering any content back to users, specifically implementing HTML entity encoding for the search query parameter in the search.php script. Additionally, implementing a Content Security Policy (CSP) header can provide an additional layer of protection against XSS attacks by restricting the sources from which scripts can be executed. The application should also employ proper input validation to reject or sanitize potentially malicious characters and patterns that could be used in XSS attacks. Security headers including X-Content-Type-Options and X-Frame-Options should be implemented to further harden the application against various web-based attack vectors. Organizations should also consider implementing a Web Application Firewall (WAF) rule to detect and block common XSS payload patterns targeting this specific vulnerability. Regular security testing including automated scanning and manual penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other parts of the application and ensure that input validation mechanisms remain effective against evolving attack techniques.