CVE-2006-3533 in Pivot
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in Pivot 1.30 RC2 and earlier, when register_globals is enabled, allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) fg, (2) line1, (3) line2, (4) bg, (5) c1, (6) c2, (7) c3, and (8) c4 parameters in (a) includes/blogroll.php; (9) name and (10) js_name parameters in (b) includes/editor/edit_menu.php; and, even if register_globals is not enabled, the (11) h and (12) w parameters in (c) includes/photo.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/31/2022
The vulnerability described in CVE-2006-3533 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting Pivot content management system versions 1.30 RC2 and earlier. This vulnerability stems from improper input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the application's handling of user-supplied parameters across multiple script files. The flaw manifests when the PHP configuration parameter register_globals is enabled, which automatically converts HTTP request variables into global variables, creating an expansive attack surface for malicious actors. The vulnerability affects multiple parameters across different files including blogroll.php, edit_menu.php, and photo.php, demonstrating a systemic weakness in the application's input handling architecture.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the direct incorporation of user-supplied data into web page output without proper sanitization or encoding. When register_globals is enabled, parameters such as fg, line1, line2, bg, c1, c2, c3, and c4 in includes/blogroll.php become accessible as global variables, allowing attackers to inject malicious scripts that execute in the context of other users' browsers. Similarly, the name and js_name parameters in includes/editor/edit_menu.php present comparable risks, while the h and w parameters in includes/photo.php maintain vulnerability even when register_globals is disabled, indicating that the core issue lies in insufficient parameter validation rather than just the global variable configuration.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it enables attackers to execute arbitrary web scripts and HTML content within victim browsers. This capability allows for session hijacking, credential theft, defacement of web content, and redirection to malicious sites. The vulnerability's persistence across different file types and parameter sets suggests a fundamental architectural flaw in the application's security design, potentially affecting all users who interact with the compromised Pivot installation. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability to compromise user sessions, steal sensitive information, or manipulate content displayed to other users.
Security mitigation strategies should focus on immediate parameter validation and sanitization across all input vectors. The most effective immediate solution involves disabling register_globals in PHP configuration, which eliminates the automatic conversion of request variables into global scope. Additionally, comprehensive input validation must be implemented to sanitize all user-supplied parameters before they are processed or displayed. This includes implementing proper HTML encoding, using parameterized queries where applicable, and ensuring that all input undergoes strict validation against expected data types and formats. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 (Cross-site Scripting) and represents a classic example of insecure input handling that violates the principle of least privilege and proper data validation. Organizations should also consider implementing Content Security Policy headers and regular security audits to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in the future. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a web application vulnerability exploitation technique, specifically targeting the execution of malicious code through input manipulation, which aligns with the broader category of application layer attacks that compromise user browser environments.