CVE-2006-3160 in Simple File Manager
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in fm.php in ONEdotOH Simple File Manager (SFM) 0.24a and earlier allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the msg parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/17/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-3160 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the ONEdotOH Simple File Manager version 0.24a and earlier implementations. This security weakness resides in the fm.php script which fails to properly sanitize user input, specifically the msg parameter that is processed without adequate validation or encoding mechanisms. The vulnerability stems from the application's inability to distinguish between legitimate user content and potentially malicious script code, creating an environment where attackers can execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of other users' browsers.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when a remote attacker crafts a malicious payload containing script code and passes it through the msg parameter in the fm.php script. When the vulnerable application processes this input and displays it without proper sanitization, the embedded script executes in the victim's browser context, potentially leading to session hijacking, data theft, or unauthorized actions performed on behalf of the victim. This type of vulnerability directly maps to CWE-79 which defines Cross-Site Scripting as the failure to properly encode or escape output data, allowing attackers to inject malicious scripts into web applications that are then executed by other users.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to perform sophisticated attacks such as cookie theft, session manipulation, and redirection to malicious sites. An attacker could craft payloads that steal authentication cookies, redirect users to phishing sites, or even modify the application interface to deceive users into providing sensitive information. The vulnerability affects all users of the affected Simple File Manager versions, making it particularly dangerous in environments where multiple users interact with the same file management system, as a single compromised input can affect the entire user base.
Security practitioners should implement multiple layers of defense to mitigate this vulnerability, including input validation, output encoding, and the implementation of Content Security Policies. The recommended remediation involves sanitizing all user inputs through proper encoding techniques such as HTML entity encoding before displaying any user-provided content. Additionally, the application should implement proper parameter validation and utilize secure coding practices that prevent the direct inclusion of user input into dynamic web content. This vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 which describes social engineering tactics using malicious content delivery, and T1059 which covers command and scripting interpreters, highlighting the importance of comprehensive input validation and output encoding as defensive measures against such attacks. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and regular security assessments to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in their web applications.