CVE-2006-4660 in ICQ Toolbar
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in the RSS Feed module in AOL ICQ Toolbar 1.3 for Internet Explorer (toolbaru.dll) allow remote attackers to process arbitrary web script or HTML in the Feeds interface context via the (1) title and (2) description elements within an item element in an RSS feed.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/25/2017
The vulnerability described in CVE-2006-4660 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the AOL ICQ Toolbar 1.3 component that specifically targets Internet Explorer users. This vulnerability exists in the RSS Feed module of the toolbar software, where the toolbaru.dll library fails to properly sanitize user input from RSS feed data. The flaw allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content directly into the Feeds interface, creating a persistent threat vector that can compromise user sessions and data integrity. The vulnerability specifically affects the processing of title and description elements within RSS feed item elements, making it particularly dangerous as these are common fields in RSS feeds that users frequently encounter.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of RSS feed data that the toolbar processes and displays. When an attacker crafts an RSS feed containing malicious script within the title or description fields, the toolbar's inadequate input validation causes the malicious code to execute within the context of the Feeds interface. This creates a classic XSS attack scenario where the malicious script runs in the user's browser session with the privileges of the toolbar's interface. The vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws in web applications and browser extensions, demonstrating how third-party browser toolbars can become attack vectors for broader web-based exploits. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that RSS feeds are commonly consumed by users who may not be aware of the security implications of the content they are viewing.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform session hijacking, steal user credentials, or redirect users to malicious websites. Users who have the AOL ICQ Toolbar installed are at risk whenever they view RSS feeds from untrusted sources, including news feeds, blog updates, or social media content that might be compromised. The vulnerability affects the security model of Internet Explorer users who rely on toolbars for enhanced functionality, as these extensions operate with elevated privileges and can access sensitive user data. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007 for Scripting and T1531 for Account Access, demonstrating how the initial compromise can lead to broader access and data exfiltration. The persistent nature of the vulnerability means that users remain at risk as long as they continue to use the affected toolbar version.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require both immediate and long-term approaches to protect users from exploitation. The most effective immediate solution is to uninstall or update the affected AOL ICQ Toolbar to a version that properly sanitizes RSS feed input. Users should also consider disabling RSS feed functionality within the toolbar or avoiding RSS feeds from untrusted sources until the vulnerability is addressed. Network administrators should monitor for instances of the vulnerable toolbar in their environments and implement policies to prevent its installation. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and sanitization in browser extensions, as outlined in OWASP Top Ten and other security standards. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls or content filtering solutions that can detect and block malicious XSS payloads in RSS feed content, providing an additional layer of protection against this type of attack vector.