CVE-2006-3609 in OrbitMATRIX
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in index.php in Orbitcoders OrbitMATRIX 1.0 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the page_name parameter with an IMG tag containing a javascript URI in the SRC attribute.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/31/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-3609 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the Orbitcoders OrbitMATRIX 1.0 content management system. This security weakness resides in the index.php script where user input is not properly sanitized before being rendered in web pages. The vulnerability specifically targets the page_name parameter which is processed without adequate validation or encoding mechanisms, creating an exploitable condition that enables malicious actors to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content directly into the application's output. The flaw manifests when an attacker crafts a malicious request containing an IMG tag with a javascript URI in the SRC attribute, which gets executed in the context of other users' browsers who view the affected page.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which classifies improper neutralization of input during web page generation as a primary weakness. The vulnerability operates by bypassing standard input validation controls that should prevent malicious code from being stored or executed within the application. When the OrbitMATRIX system processes the page_name parameter, it fails to implement proper output encoding or sanitization techniques that would neutralize potentially harmful script content. The specific exploitation method involves embedding an IMG tag with a javascript URI in the SRC attribute, which demonstrates how attackers can leverage HTML elements to execute malicious code through vectorized input parameters. This type of vulnerability represents a critical security gap in the application's defense-in-depth strategy, as it allows for persistent XSS attacks that can compromise user sessions and data confidentiality.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable sophisticated attack vectors that compromise user security and application integrity. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious websites, perform actions on behalf of authenticated users, or even execute arbitrary commands within the application context. The persistent nature of XSS vulnerabilities means that once exploited, the malicious code can affect multiple users who subsequently access the compromised page, creating a potential for widespread impact across the application's user base. This vulnerability particularly affects web applications that do not properly validate or sanitize user-supplied data before rendering it in web pages, making it a common target for attackers seeking to exploit web application security weaknesses.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2006-3609 should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application. The most effective approach involves sanitizing all user-supplied input through proper encoding techniques such as HTML entity encoding before rendering content in web pages. Additionally, developers should implement Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict the sources from which scripts can be loaded and executed. The application should also employ proper parameter validation to reject or sanitize potentially malicious input patterns, particularly those containing HTML tags or javascript protocols. Organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious input patterns, while also ensuring that all input parameters undergo strict validation before being processed. The remediation process should include thorough code reviews to identify similar vulnerabilities in other input parameters and ensure that proper security controls are implemented across the entire application architecture. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 which covers command and scripting interpreter, specifically targeting web application interfaces where script injection can occur through user-supplied parameters.