CVE-2006-3405 in QTOFileManager
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in qtofm.php in QTOFileManager 1.0 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) delete, (2) pathext, and (3) edit parameters.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/30/2018
The CVE-2006-3405 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw identified in QTOFileManager version 1.0, specifically within the qtofm.php script. This vulnerability exposes the application to remote code execution through malicious web script injection, creating significant security risks for users who interact with the file management system. The flaw affects three distinct parameter inputs including delete, pathext, and edit, which are all processed without proper input sanitization or output encoding mechanisms. The vulnerability stems from the application's failure to validate and escape user-supplied data before incorporating it into dynamically generated web content, making it susceptible to malicious exploitation.
This XSS vulnerability operates under the Common Weakness Enumeration framework as CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws where untrusted data is improperly incorporated into web pages without adequate sanitization. The attack vector allows remote attackers to inject malicious scripts that execute in the context of other users' browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or unauthorized actions within the application. The three vulnerable parameters represent different functional areas of the file manager where user input is directly reflected in the web interface, creating multiple entry points for exploitation. The delete parameter likely processes file deletion operations, pathext handles file extension specifications, and edit manages file content modifications, all of which can be manipulated to inject malicious payloads.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to perform sophisticated attacks including session manipulation, data exfiltration, and privilege escalation within the application context. Users who access the vulnerable file manager could unknowingly execute malicious code that compromises their browsing sessions and potentially exposes sensitive data. The vulnerability affects the application's integrity and confidentiality by allowing unauthorized execution of arbitrary code, which could result in complete system compromise if the application has elevated privileges. Attackers can craft malicious URLs containing script payloads that, when visited by victims, execute the injected code in their browsers and potentially establish persistent backdoors or data collection mechanisms.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application. The most effective approach involves sanitizing all user inputs using strict validation patterns and encoding output data before rendering it in web pages to prevent script execution. Additionally, implementing proper parameter validation for the delete, pathext, and edit parameters would prevent malicious data from being processed. The application should adopt a defense-in-depth strategy that includes Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict script execution and prevent unauthorized code injection. Security patches should be applied immediately to address the root cause, and developers should follow secure coding practices such as those outlined in the OWASP Secure Coding Guidelines to prevent similar vulnerabilities in future releases. The remediation process must ensure that all user-supplied data is properly escaped when incorporated into dynamic web content, and that the application employs proper input validation to reject malformed or potentially dangerous data before processing.