CVE-2006-3020 in WS-Album
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in FullPhoto.asp in WS-Album 1.1 and earlier allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) image and (2) PublisedDate parameters.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/29/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-3020 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in WS-Album version 1.1 and earlier, specifically within the FullPhoto.asp component. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly filter user-supplied data before incorporating it into web responses. The flaw affects two distinct parameter inputs namely the image parameter and the PublisedDate parameter, creating multiple attack vectors for malicious actors seeking to exploit this weakness. The vulnerability manifests when remote attackers can inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML code through these parameters, potentially compromising user sessions and data integrity.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications. This weakness occurs because the application does not adequately sanitize or escape user input before rendering it in web pages, creating an environment where malicious payloads can be executed within the context of other users' browsers. The attack vector involves an attacker submitting crafted malicious input through either the image or PublishedDate parameters, which are then processed by the vulnerable FullPhoto.asp script without proper validation. When legitimate users view the affected pages, their browsers execute the injected scripts, potentially leading to session hijacking, data theft, or further exploitation.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to web application security and user privacy. The impact extends beyond simple script execution to potentially enable more sophisticated attacks such as credential theft, session manipulation, or redirection to malicious sites. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to compromise user accounts, especially if the application handles sensitive information or authentication tokens. The vulnerability's persistence in older versions of WS-Album indicates a failure in proper input validation practices and highlights the importance of regular security updates and patch management. The vulnerability affects the application's core functionality by allowing unauthorized code execution within legitimate user sessions, undermining the trust model between users and the web application.
The exploitation of this vulnerability follows standard XSS attack patterns where attackers craft malicious payloads that are stored or reflected in the application's response. The attack can be executed through various methods including direct injection, stored XSS techniques, or even via social engineering to convince users to visit malicious pages. Organizations using WS-Album 1.1 or earlier should consider implementing comprehensive input validation, output encoding, and proper parameter sanitization techniques to mitigate this risk. Security measures should include regular application updates, web application firewalls, and input validation controls that align with OWASP Top Ten security recommendations. The vulnerability also demonstrates the importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to security standards such as those outlined in the NIST Cybersecurity Framework to prevent similar weaknesses in future development cycles.