CVE-2006-2990 in VanillaSoft Helpdesk
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in default.asp in VanillaSoft Helpdesk 2005 and earlier allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the username parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/18/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-2990 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw in the VanillaSoft Helpdesk 2005 software suite, specifically within the default.asp component. This issue arises from inadequate input validation and output sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly escape or encode user-supplied data before rendering it within web pages. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it affects versions up to and including 2005, indicating a long-standing security gap that was not addressed in the software lifecycle. The attack vector is straightforward yet impactful, as remote attackers can exploit this weakness by manipulating the username parameter in the application's default.asp page. This parameter is likely used to display user information or authentication details, making it a prime target for malicious input injection.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to implement proper input sanitization techniques when processing the username parameter. When user input is directly incorporated into web page content without appropriate encoding or filtering, it creates an environment where malicious scripts can be executed within the context of other users' browsers. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications. The flaw represents a failure in the principle of least privilege and proper data validation, as the application does not distinguish between legitimate user input and potentially harmful script code. The vulnerability can be exploited through various methods including but not limited to injecting javascript code, html tags, or even malicious payloads that could redirect users to phishing sites or steal session cookies.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data corruption or display issues, as it provides attackers with the capability to execute arbitrary code within victim browsers. This could lead to session hijacking, credential theft, or the redirection of users to malicious websites. The attack scenario typically involves an attacker crafting a malicious username parameter containing script code and then persuading a victim to click on a link containing this parameter or simply visit a compromised helpdesk page. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the helpdesk system by potentially allowing unauthorized access to sensitive information, manipulation of user sessions, and disruption of service. Organizations using this software would be particularly vulnerable if they do not implement proper web application firewall rules or input validation measures. The impact is amplified in helpdesk environments where sensitive user information and support tickets are handled, making this vulnerability a significant threat to organizational security.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate input validation and output encoding implementations. Organizations should implement proper parameter sanitization techniques such as HTML entity encoding for all user-supplied inputs before rendering them in web pages. The application should employ strict input validation to reject or sanitize any characters commonly used in XSS attacks, including angle brackets, script tags, and javascript protocols. Additionally, implementing a content security policy can provide an additional layer of protection against script execution. The use of web application firewalls and regular security assessments can help identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the system. From a compliance standpoint, this vulnerability would violate various security standards including those outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST guidelines for web application security. Organizations should also consider implementing proper access controls and monitoring for suspicious parameter usage patterns. The long-term solution involves upgrading to supported versions of the software or implementing comprehensive input/output filtering mechanisms that align with industry best practices for preventing cross-site scripting attacks.