CVE-2006-3933 in OpenCms
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Alkacon OpenCms before 6.2.2 allows remote authenticated users to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the message body.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/23/2019
The CVE-2006-3933 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within Alkacon OpenCms content management system prior to version 6.2.2. This vulnerability specifically affects the message body handling functionality, creating an avenue for malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of authenticated user sessions. The flaw exists in the input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data before rendering it within web pages, thereby enabling persistent or reflected XSS attacks that can compromise user sessions and potentially escalate privileges within the CMS environment.
This vulnerability operates through a classic XSS attack vector where authenticated users can manipulate the message body field to include malicious script payloads. The technical implementation involves the CMS failing to implement proper output encoding or sanitization when displaying user-generated content, allowing attackers to inject script tags or other malicious HTML elements that execute in the browsers of other users who view the compromised content. The vulnerability specifically targets the message body component, which suggests that the application's input processing routines do not adequately filter or escape special characters that could be interpreted as HTML or script tags during rendering operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as authenticated users can leverage this flaw to perform session hijacking, steal cookies, redirect users to malicious domains, or execute commands within the context of other users' browser sessions. The fact that this affects authenticated users means that attackers can potentially escalate their privileges within the CMS, access restricted administrative functions, or manipulate content in ways that could compromise the entire system. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses Cross-site Scripting flaws in software applications, and represents a significant weakness in the application's security posture that could lead to complete system compromise if exploited effectively.
Organizations utilizing affected versions of OpenCms should immediately implement comprehensive mitigations including input validation and output encoding mechanisms that prevent script execution in user-supplied content. The recommended approach involves implementing strict content sanitization routines that strip or encode potentially dangerous characters before any user input is rendered in web pages. Additionally, implementing proper HTTP headers such as Content-Security-Policy can provide additional protection against XSS attacks by restricting script execution sources. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation and output encoding in web applications, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1566.001 for Phishing, as attackers can use such vulnerabilities to establish persistent access and conduct further reconnaissance activities within compromised environments. The vulnerability also highlights the need for regular security updates and patch management processes, as this issue was resolved in version 6.2.2 of the OpenCms platform through proper input sanitization implementations.