CVE-2006-3333 in Zorum
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in index.php in Zorum Forum 3.5 allows remote attackers to inject web script or HTML via the multiple unspecified parameters, including the (1) frommethod, (2) list, and (3) method, which are reflected in an error message. NOTE: some of these vectors might be resultant from SQL injection.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/30/2018
The vulnerability described in CVE-2006-3333 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the Zorum Forum 3.5 application that exposes users to potential malicious code execution. This issue resides in the index.php file and demonstrates how insufficient input validation can create persistent security weaknesses in web applications. The vulnerability specifically affects multiple unspecified parameters including frommethod, list, and method which are processed and subsequently reflected within error messages displayed to users. Such reflective XSS conditions create an attack surface where malicious actors can inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content that executes in the context of other users' browsers.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows a standard XSS attack pattern where attacker-controlled input flows through the application's parameter handling mechanism and gets embedded into error messages without proper sanitization or encoding. When users encounter these error messages, their browsers execute the injected scripts, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites. The vulnerability classification aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws in web applications, and the attack vector can be categorized under the ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for Phishing with Social Engineering. The fact that some attack vectors might stem from SQL injection suggests that this vulnerability could be part of a broader exploitation chain where initial database compromise leads to subsequent web application exploitation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution as it can enable attackers to establish persistent access patterns within the forum environment. Users who encounter malicious error messages could have their sessions compromised, leading to unauthorized access to private forums, posting capabilities, or personal information exposure. The reflected nature of the XSS means that attackers need not maintain long-term access to the application, as each vulnerable parameter can be exploited independently. Organizations running Zorum Forum 3.5 should consider this vulnerability as a critical threat to user data integrity and application security, particularly in environments where forum content is used for business communications or user collaboration. The vulnerability's age and the specific mention of SQL injection as a potential vector indicate that this represents a legacy security issue that requires immediate attention and remediation through proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms.