CVE-2006-2997 in ZMS
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in ZMS 2.9 and earlier, when register_globals is enabled, allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the raw parameter in the search field.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/29/2018
The vulnerability described in CVE-2006-2997 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw affecting ZMS content management system versions 2.9 and earlier. This issue specifically manifests when the PHP configuration parameter register_globals is enabled, creating a dangerous condition where user-supplied input can be directly incorporated into the application's response without proper sanitization. The vulnerability resides within the search functionality of the system, where the raw parameter becomes a vector for malicious input injection.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of the search field parameter named raw, which allows attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML code. When register_globals is enabled, PHP automatically creates global variables from request parameters, effectively bypassing normal input validation mechanisms. This configuration flaw creates a direct pathway for attackers to execute malicious code within the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it leverages the inherent insecurity of register_globals, which was deprecated in PHP 5.3.0 and removed in PHP 5.4.0 due to its dangerous nature.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, potentially enabling attackers to perform session hijacking, deface websites, steal sensitive information, or redirect users to malicious sites. Since the vulnerability affects the search functionality, it can be exploited through normal user interactions without requiring special privileges or advanced knowledge of the system internals. This makes it particularly attractive to attackers who may leverage it for broader exploitation campaigns. The vulnerability affects the core web application functionality and can compromise the integrity of the entire content management system.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability involve multiple approaches that address both the immediate flaw and the underlying configuration issue. The primary recommendation is to disable register_globals in the PHP configuration, which eliminates the root cause of the vulnerability. Additionally, implementing proper input sanitization and output encoding mechanisms should be enforced throughout the application to prevent any potential XSS vulnerabilities. The system should employ proper parameter validation techniques and utilize secure coding practices that prevent direct insertion of user input into web responses. Organizations should also consider implementing content security policies and regular security audits to identify similar vulnerabilities. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and may map to ATT&CK technique T1190 for exploitation of web application vulnerabilities through injection attacks.