CVE-2006-4576 in The Address Book
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in The Address Book 1.04e allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML by uploading the HTML file with a GIF or JPG extension, which is rendered by Internet Explorer.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/04/2017
The vulnerability described in CVE-2006-4576 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw affecting The Address Book 1.04e application. This security weakness stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the file upload functionality, specifically targeting the handling of image files with misleading extensions. The vulnerability operates under the Common Weakness Enumeration classification of CWE-79, which encompasses improper neutralization of input during web page generation, making it a direct instance of web application injection vulnerabilities. The attack vector exploits the trust placed by Internet Explorer in files with certain extensions while failing to properly validate the actual content of those files.
The technical exploitation mechanism relies on the fact that Internet Explorer renders HTML content embedded within image files when those files are processed by the browser. Attackers can craft malicious HTML code and embed it within a file that appears to be a legitimate image such as GIF or JPG, but the actual file content contains executable script code. When the application processes this file and subsequently displays it through Internet Explorer, the browser executes the embedded HTML and JavaScript code, allowing the attacker to perform unauthorized actions on behalf of the victim. This technique leverages the browser's interpretation of file content rather than its extension, bypassing traditional security controls that rely solely on file extension validation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it enables attackers to perform various malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, data exfiltration, and redirection to malicious websites. The vulnerability affects users who interact with the address book application, particularly those who view uploaded files through Internet Explorer, creating a significant risk for organizations relying on this application for contact management. The attack requires minimal technical expertise to execute, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by threat actors with varying skill levels, and it can be combined with other attacks to escalate privileges or gain persistent access to systems.
Organizations should implement comprehensive mitigations that address both the immediate vulnerability and underlying architectural issues. Input validation must be strengthened to verify actual file content rather than relying solely on extensions, implementing proper MIME type checking and content analysis. The application should employ robust file upload restrictions, including mandatory file type validation, content scanning for malicious code, and proper sanitization of uploaded files before storage or rendering. Security controls should include implementing content security policies to prevent script execution, using secure file handling practices, and ensuring that web applications properly escape all dynamic content before rendering. Additionally, regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications, with adherence to the principle of least privilege and defense in depth strategies as outlined in the MITRE ATT&CK framework for web application security.