CVE-2006-2989 in listpics
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in listpics.asp in ASP ListPics 4.3 and earlier allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the info parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/29/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-2989 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw affecting the ASP ListPics 4.3 content management system and earlier versions. This vulnerability resides within the listpics.asp component which processes user input through the info parameter, creating an exploitable vector for malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of other users' browsers. The flaw demonstrates a fundamental failure in input validation and output encoding practices that are essential for web application security.
This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, specifically representing a stored or reflected XSS attack depending on how the malicious input is processed and stored within the application. The attack occurs when the application fails to properly sanitize user-supplied data before incorporating it into dynamic web content. The info parameter serves as the primary attack surface where unfiltered input can be injected, allowing attackers to craft malicious payloads that execute in the victim's browser context. The vulnerability affects the application's ability to distinguish between legitimate user input and potentially harmful script code, creating a security boundary failure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform various malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, redirection to malicious sites, and data exfiltration. When exploited, the XSS vulnerability allows attackers to manipulate the application's behavior and potentially gain unauthorized access to user sessions or sensitive information. The attack can be particularly dangerous in environments where the application handles user authentication or sensitive data, as it provides a pathway for privilege escalation and persistent malicious presence within the application ecosystem. The vulnerability affects not only the immediate application but can also impact the broader security posture of the hosting environment through potential lateral movement opportunities.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing robust input validation and output encoding mechanisms. The primary defense involves sanitizing all user input through proper validation techniques, including whitelisting acceptable characters and encoding special characters before rendering content. Application developers should implement proper HTML encoding for all dynamic content and utilize content security policies to restrict script execution. The fix requires modifying the listpics.asp script to properly validate and sanitize the info parameter, ensuring that any user-supplied data undergoes thorough filtering before being incorporated into web responses. Additionally, implementing proper error handling and logging mechanisms can help detect and respond to exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider applying security patches or upgrading to newer versions of the ASP ListPics application that address this vulnerability. The remediation approach should align with the principles outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and MITRE ATT&CK framework's web application attack patterns, specifically addressing the execution of malicious code through input manipulation. Regular security testing including dynamic application security testing and manual penetration testing should be conducted to verify the effectiveness of implemented controls and maintain ongoing security posture.