CVE-2006-3765 in hwdeGUEST
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in Huttenlocher Webdesign hwdeGUEST 2.1.1 and earlier allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors, as demonstrated by the "name input" field in new_entry.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/31/2018
The CVE-2006-3765 vulnerability represents a critical security flaw in the Huttenlocher Webdesign hwdeGUEST 2.1.1 content management system that exposes users to cross-site scripting attacks. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is one of the most prevalent and dangerous web application security weaknesses identified by the CWE organization. The flaw specifically affects the guestbook functionality of the software, where user input is not properly sanitized before being rendered back to other users. The vulnerability was demonstrated through the "name input" field in the new_entry.php script, indicating that the application fails to validate or escape user-supplied data before incorporating it into dynamic web pages.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to implement proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms. When users submit entries through the guestbook form, particularly the name field, the system stores this data without adequate sanitization processes. The absence of input filtering means that malicious actors can inject malicious scripts that execute in the context of other users' browsers when they view the guestbook entries. This type of vulnerability allows attackers to potentially steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of users, or redirect victims to malicious websites. The XSS attack vector operates because the web application does not distinguish between legitimate content and potentially harmful script code, treating all input as executable content.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as it creates a persistent threat that can compromise user sessions and enable further attacks. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can establish a foothold in the victim's browser environment, potentially leading to account takeover or data exfiltration. The vulnerability affects the entire guestbook functionality, making it a systemic issue rather than an isolated problem. This type of flaw particularly impacts web applications that rely on user-generated content, as it demonstrates how insecure data handling can create persistent security risks. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal technical skill, making it attractive to attackers who may use it as part of broader reconnaissance efforts or as a stepping stone to more sophisticated attacks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2006-3765 should focus on implementing robust input validation and output encoding practices that align with established security frameworks. The primary remediation involves sanitizing all user input through proper encoding before rendering it in web pages, particularly for dynamic content that is displayed to other users. This approach directly addresses the CWE-79 weakness by ensuring that potentially malicious content cannot be executed in the browser context of other users. Organizations should implement Content Security Policy headers to add additional layers of protection against script execution. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of following the principle of least privilege and input validation as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten security principles. Upgrading to a patched version of the hwdeGUEST software represents the most effective long-term solution, as it addresses the root cause of the vulnerability rather than implementing temporary workarounds. Security teams should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious input patterns, though this should not replace proper application-level security measures. Regular security testing and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other parts of the web application.