CVE-2006-3191 in MPCS
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in comment.php in MPCS 0.2 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the pageid parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/29/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-3191 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the MPCS 0.2 content management system, specifically affecting the comment.php component. This security weakness arises from inadequate input validation and output sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly handle user-supplied data. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it exists in the pageid parameter, which serves as an entry point for malicious actors to inject harmful scripts into the application's response. The flaw allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of other users' browsers, potentially compromising the integrity of the web application and the data of its users.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly sanitize or escape user input before incorporating it into dynamic web page content. When the pageid parameter is processed by comment.php, the system does not adequately validate or filter the incoming data, creating an environment where malicious payloads can be executed. This represents a classic case of unsafe direct object reference or improper input handling, which aligns with CWE-79 - Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation. The vulnerability exists at the point where user-supplied data transitions from input to output within the web application's rendering pipeline, making it susceptible to script injection attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as it enables attackers to manipulate the application's behavior and potentially gain unauthorized access to user sessions or sensitive information. An attacker could craft malicious URLs containing script payloads that would execute whenever a victim visits the affected page, leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or the redirection of users to malicious sites. The remote nature of this attack means that exploitation can occur from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access to the target system. This vulnerability directly impacts the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the web application, as it creates potential vectors for persistent threats that can affect multiple users over time. The attack surface is particularly broad since the pageid parameter is likely used in various contexts throughout the application's functionality.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing robust input validation and output encoding mechanisms. The most effective immediate solution involves sanitizing all user-supplied input through proper validation techniques that reject or escape potentially dangerous characters and sequences. Implementing a comprehensive content security policy can provide additional protection against script execution, while regular security audits and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components. The application should employ proper parameter validation and utilize established libraries or frameworks that provide built-in protection against XSS attacks. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring systems to detect and prevent exploitation attempts. This vulnerability underscores the importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to industry standards such as those recommended by the Open Web Application Security Project, which emphasize the critical need for input validation and output encoding in preventing cross-site scripting attacks. The remediation efforts should include thorough testing of the patched implementation to ensure that all potential injection vectors are properly addressed and that the fix does not introduce new security issues or break existing functionality.