CVE-2006-3526 in Sport-slo Advanced Guestbook
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in guestbook.php in Sport-slo Advanced Guestbook 1.0 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via (1) name and (2) form parameters.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/18/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-3526 represents a critical cross-site scripting weakness in the Sport-slo Advanced Guestbook 1.0 web application. This flaw exists within the guestbook.php script and demonstrates a classic input validation failure that has been documented under CWE-79, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting vulnerabilities. The vulnerability affects the application's handling of user-supplied data in two distinct parameter fields namely the name parameter and the form parameter, both of which are processed without adequate sanitization or output encoding mechanisms.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when remote attackers submit malicious script code through these input fields, which are then stored and subsequently executed in the context of other users' browsers who view the guestbook entries. This type of vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK framework category of T1059.001 - Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript, as it leverages JavaScript execution within web browsers to carry out malicious activities. The flaw essentially allows attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML code that gets rendered on the victim's browser, creating a persistent threat vector that can be used for session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data corruption or display issues, as it creates a persistent threat that can compromise user sessions and potentially lead to complete account takeover scenarios. When users visit pages containing malicious guestbook entries, their browsers execute the injected scripts, which could redirect them to phishing sites, steal cookies, or even install malware on their systems. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in environments where the guestbook serves as a public-facing component of a larger web application, as it provides attackers with a readily available vector for user interaction and data exfiltration. The weakness is classified as a server-side injection vulnerability where user input flows directly into HTML output without proper sanitization, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to exploit trust relationships between users and web applications.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing robust input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application. The most effective remediation involves implementing proper parameter sanitization and HTML encoding before any user input is displayed in the guestbook entries. This approach aligns with the OWASP Top Ten security practices and follows the principle of least privilege in web application security. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy headers can provide an additional layer of protection against script injection attacks. The fix should include comprehensive input validation that rejects or sanitizes any script tags, event handlers, or other potentially malicious content before storing or displaying user-generated content. Security teams should also consider implementing regular security code reviews and automated vulnerability scanning to identify similar weaknesses in other components of the application. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input sanitization in web applications and serves as a reminder of the long-term security implications of inadequate validation mechanisms in legacy software systems.