CVE-2006-3138 in phpMyDirectory
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in phpMyDirectory 10.4.5 and earlier allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) PIC parameter in offers-pix.php, (2) from parameter in cp/index.php, and (3) action parameter in cp/admin_index.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/31/2022
The vulnerability described in CVE-2006-3138 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting phpMyDirectory versions 10.4.5 and earlier. This vulnerability exists within a web application framework designed for directory management and serves as a prime example of insufficient input validation and output encoding in web applications. The flaw manifests through three distinct attack vectors that collectively demonstrate the application's failure to properly sanitize user-supplied data before incorporating it into dynamic web content. The vulnerability classifies under CWE-79 which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting attacks where untrusted data is improperly incorporated into web pages without adequate validation or encoding measures.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through three specific parameters across different application modules. The first vector involves the PIC parameter in offers-pix.php, where malicious input could be injected to execute arbitrary JavaScript code when the parameter value is rendered in the page context. The second attack path utilizes the from parameter in cp/index.php, while the third vulnerability exists in the action parameter within cp/admin_index.php. All three vectors demonstrate a common pattern where user input flows directly into HTML output without proper sanitization, allowing attackers to inject malicious scripts that execute in the context of other users' browsers. This represents a classic case of reflected cross-site scripting where the malicious payload is embedded in the URL or form data and executed immediately upon page load.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as it provides attackers with the capability to establish persistent malicious presence within the application environment. Successful exploitation could enable attackers to hijack user sessions, steal sensitive information, modify directory entries, or redirect users to malicious websites. The vulnerability affects not only end users but also administrative functions, as evidenced by the inclusion of the admin_index.php module in the attack vectors. From an attacker's perspective, this vulnerability represents a low-effort, high-impact opportunity to compromise the entire application ecosystem, particularly given that phpMyDirectory was designed for public-facing directory services where user input is inevitable. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 which describes social engineering tactics used to gain initial access through malicious web content.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of robust input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application. The most effective approach involves implementing strict sanitization of all user-supplied parameters before they are processed or rendered in web responses. This includes implementing proper HTML escaping for all dynamic content and utilizing secure coding practices that prevent the direct inclusion of user input into script contexts. Organizations should also implement Content Security Policy headers to add an additional layer of protection against script execution. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of applying defense-in-depth principles, as a single input validation failure across multiple modules can compromise the entire application. Security patches should be applied immediately to update phpMyDirectory to versions that address these specific XSS vulnerabilities, while also conducting comprehensive code reviews to identify similar patterns that might exist in other application components.