CVE-2006-3358 in NewsPHP
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in index.php in NewsPHP 2006 PRO allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) words, (2) id, (3) cat_id, and (4) tim parameters, which are not sanitized before being returned in an error page. NOTE: it is possible that some of these vectors are resultant from an SQL injection issue.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/01/2017
The vulnerability described in CVE-2006-3358 represents a critical cross-site scripting weakness affecting NewsPHP 2006 PRO, a content management system that was widely used in web publishing environments during that period. This vulnerability resides within the index.php file and demonstrates a classic input validation flaw that has been consistently categorized under CWE-79, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting vulnerabilities. The flaw manifests when user-supplied input parameters are not properly sanitized before being processed and subsequently rendered back to users in error page contexts, creating an ideal environment for malicious script injection attacks.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through four distinct parameter vectors: words, id, cat_id, and tim, all of which are passed directly to the index.php script without adequate sanitization measures. When these parameters contain malicious payloads, they are reflected back to users in error messages, enabling attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript code within the victim's browser context. This reflective XSS behavior aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001, which covers the use of malicious links or content to execute code in user browsers. The vulnerability's potential for SQL injection exploitation, as noted in the description, suggests that the lack of input sanitization may also enable attackers to manipulate database queries, potentially leading to more severe data compromise scenarios.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform session hijacking, deface websites, steal sensitive information, or redirect users to malicious domains. The error page context provides an ideal vector for attackers since users who encounter these error messages are typically not expecting malicious content, making social engineering aspects more effective. Organizations using NewsPHP 2006 PRO would face significant security risks, as the vulnerability could be exploited by attackers with minimal technical expertise, potentially leading to complete system compromise or data breaches. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple parameter types indicates a systemic flaw in the application's input handling architecture rather than isolated issues.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2006-3358 should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding measures across all user-supplied parameters. The most effective approach involves sanitizing all input data using whitelist validation techniques and implementing proper HTML entity encoding before any data is rendered back to users. Organizations should also consider implementing Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to add an additional layer of protection against XSS attacks. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of following secure coding practices as outlined in OWASP Top 10 and the Secure Coding Guidelines, particularly regarding input validation and output encoding. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in legacy systems, while immediate patching or mitigation should be prioritized given the age of the affected software and the availability of more secure alternatives in the current market.