CVE-2006-3476 in PhpWebGallery
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in comments.php in PhpWebGallery 1.5.2 and earlier, and possibly 1.6.0, allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the keyword parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/31/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-3476 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw that affects PhpWebGallery versions 1.5.2 and earlier, with potential impact on version 1.6.0. This security weakness resides within the comments.php script, which processes user-generated content and comment submissions within the web gallery application. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the application fails to properly sanitize or validate user input received through the keyword parameter, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML code into the application's response. The flaw operates at the input validation layer where user-supplied data enters the system without adequate filtering mechanisms, allowing attackers to craft malicious payloads that execute in the context of other users' browsers.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which describes improper neutralization of input during web page generation, commonly known as cross-site scripting. The attack vector exploits the web application's insufficient sanitization of the keyword parameter, which is typically used for search functionality or comment categorization. When an attacker submits malicious content through this parameter, the application processes it without proper encoding or validation, allowing the injected script to be stored and subsequently executed whenever other users view the affected page. The vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental failure in input validation and output encoding practices, where the application treats user input as trusted content rather than potentially malicious data that requires careful handling.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it provides attackers with the capability to perform various malicious activities through the compromised web application. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious websites, deface the gallery interface, or even execute more sophisticated attacks such as credential theft or privilege escalation within the application's context. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation does not require physical access to the system or any special privileges, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged by anyone who can submit comments or access the gallery interface. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the web application, potentially compromising user data and the overall security posture of the system.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application. The primary defense involves sanitizing all user input received through the keyword parameter, ensuring that any potentially malicious content is properly escaped or removed before processing. This approach aligns with the principle of least privilege and defense in depth as outlined in various security frameworks including the NIST Cybersecurity Framework. Security patches should be implemented immediately to address the vulnerability, with developers ensuring that all user-supplied data undergoes proper validation and encoding before being rendered in web pages. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy headers can provide an additional layer of protection against script injection attacks, while regular security audits and code reviews help identify similar vulnerabilities in other parts of the application. The fix should also include proper error handling to prevent information leakage and ensure that the application does not inadvertently expose internal details through error messages that could aid attackers in exploiting similar weaknesses.