CVE-2006-2979 in Shop
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in ViArt Shop Free 2.5.5, and possibly other distributions including Light, Standard, and Enterprise, allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) forum_id parameter in forum.php, which is not properly handled in block_forum_topics.php, and (2) item_id parameter in reviews.php, which is not properly handled in block_reviews.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/28/2018
The vulnerability described in CVE-2006-2979 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting ViArt Shop Free version 2.5.5 and related distributions including Light, Standard, and Enterprise editions. This security weakness resides in the improper handling of user-supplied input parameters within specific PHP script files that process forum and review functionality. The vulnerability stems from inadequate sanitization and validation of input data, creating an exploitable condition that allows remote attackers to inject malicious web scripts or HTML content into the application's response. The affected parameters forum_id in forum.php and item_id in reviews.php demonstrate a failure in implementing proper input validation mechanisms that would normally prevent malicious code execution within the context of legitimate user sessions.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of specific URL parameters that are processed by the application's backend scripts. When an attacker crafts malicious input containing script tags or other HTML content and submits it via the forum_id or item_id parameters, the vulnerable application fails to properly escape or filter this input before rendering it in the user interface. This improper handling allows the injected content to execute within the browser context of authenticated users, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious websites. The vulnerability specifically affects block_forum_topics.php and block_reviews.php files, which serve as the processing layers where user input should be sanitized but instead becomes part of the rendered output. This represents a classic example of a reflected XSS vulnerability where the malicious payload is reflected back to the user without proper sanitization, as classified under CWE-79 in the Common Weakness Enumeration system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it creates a persistent security risk for users interacting with the affected e-commerce platform. Attackers can leverage this weakness to compromise user sessions, steal sensitive information, or redirect users to phishing sites designed to capture login credentials. The vulnerability affects the core functionality of the forum and review systems, potentially undermining user trust in the platform's security and integrity. Users who browse forum topics or review sections may unknowingly execute malicious scripts that could lead to unauthorized access to their accounts, data exfiltration, or further exploitation within the network. The attack vector requires no privileged access or authentication, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by anyone with access to the vulnerable application. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 which focuses on credential access through malicious web content and demonstrates how web application flaws can be weaponized for broader security breaches.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements to prevent similar issues. The primary fix involves implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the affected PHP files, specifically ensuring that all user-supplied parameters are sanitized before being processed or rendered. Developers should employ parameterized queries and input sanitization libraries to prevent script injection attempts, while also implementing Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution capabilities within the application context. The recommended approach includes validating input parameters against expected data types, implementing proper HTML escaping for dynamic content, and conducting regular security code reviews to identify potential injection points. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring systems to detect and block suspicious parameter values, while also ensuring that all application components are regularly updated to address known vulnerabilities. The remediation efforts should follow secure coding practices as outlined in OWASP Top 10 and other industry standards to prevent future occurrences of similar cross-site scripting vulnerabilities.