CVE-2006-3564 in HiveMail
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in HiveMail 1.3 and earlier allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via (1) the email, (2) cond, or (3) name parameters to (a) addressbook.view.php, (4) the daysprune parameter to (b) index.php, (5) the data[to] parameter to (c) compose.email.php, and (6) the markas parameter to (d) read.markas.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/31/2018
The CVE-2006-3564 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting HiveMail version 1.3 and earlier implementations. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the web application's handling of user-supplied data across multiple script files. The flaw manifests when the application fails to properly escape or filter user input before incorporating it into dynamic web page content, creating opportunities for malicious actors to execute arbitrary scripts in the context of other users' browsers.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through multiple attack vectors that target specific parameter names within different PHP script files. Attackers can manipulate the email, cond, or name parameters in addressbook.view.php to inject malicious payloads, while the daysprune parameter in index.php, data[to] parameter in compose.email.php, and markas parameter in read.markas.php provide additional entry points for XSS attacks. These parameters represent common input fields where users might enter personal information or configuration settings, making them prime targets for exploitation.
The operational impact of CVE-2006-3564 extends beyond simple script injection, potentially enabling attackers to hijack user sessions, steal sensitive information, or redirect victims to malicious websites. When successful, these XSS attacks can compromise user accounts, facilitate credential theft, or allow attackers to execute unauthorized actions within the application. The vulnerability particularly affects webmail applications where users interact with email content, as it enables attackers to manipulate the email viewing and composition interfaces, potentially leading to data exfiltration or unauthorized email sending.
This vulnerability maps directly to CWE-79 which defines Cross-Site Scripting as a weakness where applications fail to properly validate or escape user input before incorporating it into web page output. From an adversarial perspective, this flaw aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for initial access through spearphishing attachments or links, as attackers could craft malicious emails that exploit this vulnerability when users view them in the affected HiveMail interface. The vulnerability also corresponds to T1071.004 for application layer protocol usage, specifically HTTP traffic manipulation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2006-3564 require immediate implementation of proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms across all affected script files. The most effective remediation involves implementing strict parameter validation, using HTML escaping functions before rendering user-supplied content, and implementing Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution. Organizations should also consider upgrading to HiveMail versions that address this vulnerability, as the affected software represents an outdated implementation that likely contains additional security flaws. Regular security assessments and input validation testing should be implemented to prevent similar vulnerabilities in future development cycles, with particular attention to parameter handling in web applications that process user input for dynamic content generation.