CVE-2006-3261 in Control Manager
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Trend Micro Control Manager (TMCM) 3.5 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the username field on the login page, which is not properly sanitized before being displayed in the error log.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/21/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-3261 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within Trend Micro Control Manager version 3.5, a security management solution designed to protect enterprise networks from various cyber threats. This vulnerability specifically targets the authentication mechanism of the system, creating a dangerous attack vector that can be exploited by remote adversaries to compromise the security posture of affected organizations. The flaw exists in the login page's username field handling, where user input fails to undergo proper sanitization before being rendered in error logs, thereby enabling malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts within the context of authenticated user sessions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding practices within the TMCM application. When users attempt to log in with maliciously crafted usernames containing script tags or other HTML elements, the system does not properly sanitize this input before displaying it in error messages or log files. This failure in input sanitization creates a classic XSS vulnerability that falls under CWE-79, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws in software applications. The vulnerability operates by allowing attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code through the username field, which then executes in the browser of any user who views the affected error logs, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or further exploitation of the compromised system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it fundamentally undermines the trust model of the security management platform itself. Attackers can leverage this flaw to impersonate legitimate users, gain unauthorized access to sensitive system information, or redirect users to malicious websites that could harvest credentials or deploy additional malware. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it affects the login mechanism, which represents one of the most critical attack surfaces in any security system. According to ATT&CK framework category T1078, this vulnerability enables adversaries to establish persistent access through compromised authentication mechanisms, while T1566 covers the initial access vectors that exploit web application vulnerabilities. The attack scenario becomes more severe when considering that error logs are typically viewed by system administrators with elevated privileges, potentially allowing attackers to escalate their privileges and gain deeper access to the network infrastructure.
Organizations utilizing Trend Micro Control Manager 3.5 should implement immediate mitigations to address this vulnerability, including applying the vendor-provided security patches and updates as soon as they become available. Network administrators should also consider implementing additional protective measures such as web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious script injections, along with enhanced monitoring of error log files for suspicious activity. Input validation should be strengthened across all user-facing fields, with proper HTML escaping and sanitization routines implemented to prevent script execution in error messages. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices and the necessity of regular security assessments, particularly for applications handling authentication and user session management. Organizations should also establish incident response procedures to quickly identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in their security infrastructure, as the exploitation of such flaws can lead to significant data breaches and compromise of enterprise security controls.