CVE-2006-3377 in AutoRank
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in JMB Software AutoRank PHP 3.02 and earlier, and AutoRank Pro 5.01 and earlier, allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) Keyword parameter in search.php and the (2) Username parameter in main.cgi.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/30/2018
This cross-site scripting vulnerability exists in JMB Software AutoRank PHP versions 3.02 and earlier, as well as AutoRank Pro versions 5.01 and earlier, representing a critical security flaw that enables remote attackers to execute malicious scripts within the context of affected web applications. The vulnerability manifests through two distinct attack vectors: the Keyword parameter in search.php and the Username parameter in main.cgi, both of which fail to properly sanitize user input before incorporating it into web responses. The flaw directly corresponds to CWE-79, which defines cross-site scripting as a weakness where untrusted data is incorporated into web pages without proper validation or encoding, allowing attackers to inject malicious scripts that execute in the victim's browser.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the lack of input validation and output encoding in the affected software's web interfaces. When users submit search queries through the Keyword parameter or provide usernames through the Username parameter, the applications do not adequately filter or escape special characters that could be interpreted as HTML or JavaScript code. This allows attackers to craft malicious payloads that, when processed by the web application, get executed in the browsers of unsuspecting users who view the affected pages. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it affects core functionality components of the AutoRank software, enabling attackers to manipulate search results and user authentication flows. The impact extends beyond simple script execution to potentially enable session hijacking, credential theft, and the redirection of users to malicious sites.
The operational consequences of this vulnerability are severe for organizations using affected versions of AutoRank software, as it creates persistent security risks that can be exploited by attackers without requiring any special privileges or access to the underlying system. Users who interact with the vulnerable web applications become potential victims of phishing attacks, where malicious scripts can capture login credentials or personal information. The vulnerability also enables attackers to modify the behavior of the web application itself, potentially allowing them to manipulate search results or gain unauthorized access to user accounts. According to ATT&CK framework category T1059.007, this represents a command and scripting interpreter technique where attackers leverage web-based scripting languages to execute malicious code, while the broader T1531 category covers the use of malicious code to gain unauthorized access to systems. Organizations running these vulnerable versions face significant risk of data breaches, reputational damage, and potential regulatory compliance violations.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of affected software versions, as the vendor has likely released updates addressing these XSS flaws. System administrators should implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms across all web applications, ensuring that user-supplied data is properly sanitized before being rendered in web pages. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide additional protection against script injection attacks by restricting the sources from which scripts can be loaded. Organizations should also consider deploying web application firewalls to detect and block malicious payloads attempting to exploit XSS vulnerabilities. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other web applications, as this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input handling and output encoding practices. Additionally, user education regarding the risks of clicking on suspicious links or entering personal information on untrusted websites remains crucial in reducing the overall attack surface and potential impact of such vulnerabilities.