CVE-2006-4324 in indexcity
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in add_url2.php in CityForFree indexcity 1.0 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the url parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/13/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-4324 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the CityForFree indexcity 1.0 web application. This security weakness exists in the add_url2.php script which processes user input without proper sanitization or validation mechanisms. The vulnerability specifically affects the url parameter handling, creating an avenue for malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of other users' browsers. Such vulnerabilities fall under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is classified as a critical web application security risk that has been consistently documented in the CWE database since its inception. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it allows remote code execution through web-based interfaces without requiring any special privileges or authentication.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly sanitize user-supplied input before incorporating it into dynamically generated web pages. When users submit URLs through the add_url2.php endpoint, the application accepts the input directly without filtering or encoding special characters that could be interpreted as HTML or JavaScript commands. This primitive input handling approach creates an environment where attackers can embed malicious payloads within the url parameter that will execute whenever other users view the affected content. The vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental lack of proper input validation and output encoding practices that are essential for preventing XSS attacks according to industry security standards. The specific nature of the flaw aligns with the ATT&CK technique T1059.007 which describes the use of scripting languages to execute malicious code.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as it can enable more sophisticated attacks such as session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites. When exploited, the vulnerability allows attackers to execute JavaScript code in the context of authenticated users' browsers, potentially compromising user sessions and gaining access to sensitive information. The consequences are particularly severe in web applications where users trust the system with personal data, financial information, or administrative privileges. Organizations running this version of CityForFree indexcity are exposed to persistent threats where malicious actors can maintain long-term access through stored XSS payloads that execute automatically when users visit affected pages. This vulnerability also violates fundamental security principles outlined in OWASP Top Ten 2017, specifically the A03:2017 Injection category, which emphasizes the importance of proper input validation and output encoding.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2006-4324 must address both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements to prevent similar vulnerabilities. The most effective immediate solution involves implementing proper input sanitization and output encoding mechanisms that prevent special characters from being interpreted as executable code. This includes applying HTML entity encoding to all user-supplied input before rendering it in web pages, as well as implementing strict input validation that rejects or removes potentially dangerous characters. Organizations should also consider implementing Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to add an additional layer of protection against XSS attacks. The vulnerability highlights the critical need for comprehensive security testing including dynamic application security testing and manual penetration testing to identify similar flaws in web applications. Additionally, regular security updates and patches should be implemented to address known vulnerabilities, as this particular version of CityForFree indexcity is likely to contain additional security weaknesses that have been addressed in later releases. The remediation process should also include security awareness training for developers to ensure they understand proper secure coding practices and the importance of input validation in preventing XSS attacks.