CVE-2006-4206 in ASPPlayground.NET
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in calendar.asp in ASPPlayground.NET Forum Advanced Edition 2.4.5 Unicode allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the calendarID parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/30/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-4206 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw in the ASPPlayground.NET Forum Advanced Edition version 2.4.5 Unicode implementation. This security weakness specifically affects the calendar.asp component where user input is not properly sanitized before being rendered back to web browsers. The vulnerability manifests through the calendarID parameter which serves as an entry point for malicious actors to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content into the application's response. The flaw exists in the application's input validation mechanisms, where unfiltered user-supplied data is directly incorporated into dynamically generated web pages without adequate encoding or sanitization processes.
The technical nature of this vulnerability places it squarely within the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is classified as a critical security weakness in web applications. This weakness allows attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of other users' browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or unauthorized actions performed on behalf of victims. The specific attack vector involves crafting malicious input for the calendarID parameter that when processed by the vulnerable application, gets executed in the victim's browser context. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it leverages the trust relationship between the user and the web application, making it difficult to distinguish between legitimate and malicious content.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to perform sophisticated social engineering attacks against forum users. An attacker could inject malicious scripts that steal cookies, redirect users to phishing sites, or manipulate forum content to spread malware. The Unicode version of the application suggests that the vulnerability may be particularly exploitable in environments where international character sets are used, potentially allowing for more sophisticated attack payloads that bypass simpler validation mechanisms. This vulnerability directly impacts the integrity and confidentiality of user data within the forum environment, as compromised user sessions could lead to unauthorized access to private messages, posting privileges, or administrative functions.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing robust input validation and output encoding practices throughout the application stack. The primary defense mechanism involves sanitizing all user-supplied input, particularly parameters like calendarID, through proper encoding before rendering in web pages. This approach aligns with the OWASP Top Ten security recommendations and follows the principle of least privilege in input handling. Organizations should implement proper HTML encoding for all dynamic content, utilize Content Security Policy headers, and employ regular security code reviews to identify similar vulnerabilities. The remediation process requires updating the calendar.asp component to validate and sanitize the calendarID parameter, ensuring that any potentially malicious input is neutralized before being processed or displayed. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and regular vulnerability scanning can provide additional layers of protection against similar cross-site scripting attacks. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation in web applications and serves as a reminder of the need for comprehensive security testing throughout the software development lifecycle.