CVE-2006-4162 in Dragonfly CMS
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Dragonfly CMS 9.0.6.1 and earlier allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the search field.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/21/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-4162 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within Dragonfly CMS versions 9.0.6.1 and earlier, constituting a significant security risk for web applications utilizing this content management system. This type of vulnerability falls under the broader category of input validation failures and specifically aligns with CWE-79 which defines improper neutralization of input during web page generation. The flaw exists in how the system processes user input through the search functionality, creating an opportunity for malicious actors to execute arbitrary scripts within the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it enables remote code execution without requiring authentication or special privileges, making it accessible to any internet user who can interact with the vulnerable application.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate sanitization of user-supplied data within the search field parameter. When users submit search queries to the Dragonfly CMS application, the system fails to properly validate or escape the input before incorporating it into dynamically generated web pages. This insufficient input filtering creates a pathway for attackers to inject malicious scripts that will execute in the browsers of other users who view the affected pages. The vulnerability operates by allowing attackers to embed javascript code, html tags, or other malicious payloads directly into the search input field, which then gets rendered back to users without proper encoding or sanitization. The attack vector is particularly effective because search fields are commonly used and trusted interfaces that users expect to function normally, making the injection less suspicious to end users and security monitoring systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution to potentially compromise entire user sessions and enable more sophisticated attacks. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, deface web pages, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. The vulnerability particularly affects web applications where users can submit content that will be displayed to other users, as it creates a persistent threat that can affect multiple users over time. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007 for scripting and T1566 for spearphishing with social engineering, as it enables attackers to deliver malicious payloads through seemingly legitimate search functionality. The vulnerability also contributes to broader security concerns including data exfiltration and user impersonation, as the injected scripts can access sensitive information or perform unauthorized actions within the victim's browser context.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2006-4162 require immediate action to address the core input validation issues within Dragonfly CMS installations. Organizations should implement comprehensive input sanitization and output encoding mechanisms that properly escape all user-supplied data before rendering it within web pages. The recommended approach involves applying proper HTML entity encoding to all dynamic content and implementing strict input validation that rejects or removes potentially dangerous characters and patterns. Security patches should be applied immediately to upgrade to versions of Dragonfly CMS that address this vulnerability, as the original affected versions are no longer supported and lack security updates. Additional protective measures include implementing content security policies to restrict script execution, deploying web application firewalls to detect and block malicious payloads, and conducting regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of secure coding practices and input validation as fundamental security controls that should be integrated throughout the software development lifecycle.