CVE-2006-3821 in ATutor
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in ATutor 1.5.3 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) lang parameter in (a) index_list.php and (2) year, (3) month, and (4) day parameter in (b) registration.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/01/2018
The vulnerability described in CVE-2006-3821 represents a critical cross-site scripting weakness affecting ATutor version 1.5.3, a widely used open-source learning management system. This vulnerability exposes the platform to remote code execution risks through malicious injection of web scripts or HTML content, potentially compromising user sessions and data integrity. The flaw specifically targets parameter handling within two key files of the application, creating multiple attack vectors for malicious actors seeking to exploit the system's input validation mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate sanitization of user-supplied input parameters within the ATutor application's web interface. Attackers can exploit the vulnerability by manipulating the lang parameter in index_list.php and the year, month, and day parameters in registration.php to inject malicious scripts. These parameters are processed without proper validation or encoding, allowing attackers to inject HTML content that executes in the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability is classified as a classic stored or reflected XSS flaw, depending on how the injected content is subsequently processed and displayed within the application's user interface.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to perform session hijacking, steal sensitive user information, or redirect users to malicious websites. When users browse to pages containing the malicious input, their browsers execute the injected scripts, potentially compromising their sessions and allowing unauthorized access to their personal data. The vulnerability affects the core functionality of the learning management system, as it undermines the trust and security assumptions users place in the platform's handling of their input data, potentially leading to widespread compromise of user accounts and educational content.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate implementation of proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms across all user-supplied parameters. The recommended approach involves sanitizing all input through whitelist validation and applying appropriate HTML encoding to prevent script execution in web contexts. Organizations should also implement Content Security Policy headers to add an additional layer of protection against XSS attacks. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in software applications, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for the execution of malicious scripts through web-based interfaces. Regular security audits and input validation testing should be conducted to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in future versions of the platform.