CVE-2006-4668 in AckerTodo
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in index.php in Rob Hensley AckerTodo 4.0 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the task_id parameter in an edit_task command.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/19/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-4668 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Rob Hensley AckerTodo 4.0 web application. This security weakness resides in the index.php file and specifically affects the edit_task command functionality. The vulnerability occurs when the application fails to properly sanitize user input received through the task_id parameter, creating an opportunity for malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of other users' browsers. The flaw manifests as a classic reflected XSS vulnerability where attacker-controlled content is immediately reflected back to users without adequate input validation or output encoding mechanisms.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows a standard XSS attack pattern where an attacker crafts a malicious URL containing script code within the task_id parameter. When a victim navigates to this specially crafted URL, the malicious script executes in their browser session, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or unauthorized actions performed on behalf of the victim. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that it operates within a task management application, meaning that successful exploitation could allow attackers to manipulate task data, view sensitive information, or potentially escalate privileges within the application's access controls. This flaw directly corresponds to CWE-79 which defines improper neutralization of input during web page generation, specifically in the context of web applications that fail to properly encode output before rendering user-supplied data.
The operational implications of this vulnerability extend beyond simple script injection, as it represents a fundamental breakdown in the application's security architecture. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to create persistent malicious scripts that would execute whenever users view specific tasks, potentially leading to long-term compromise of user sessions. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers do not require physical access to the system or network to exploit it, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users may be tricked into clicking malicious links. Organizations using AckerTodo 4.0 would be exposed to risks including data exfiltration, unauthorized access to task management features, and potential lateral movement within networks where the application is deployed. The attack surface is broadened by the fact that the vulnerability affects the core task editing functionality, making it likely to be exploited by threat actors seeking to gain persistent access to sensitive project management data.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements. The primary solution involves implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application's data handling pipeline, specifically ensuring that all user-supplied parameters including task_id are properly sanitized before being processed or rendered. The application should employ context-specific encoding techniques such as HTML entity encoding for data displayed in web pages, JavaScript encoding for dynamic script content, and URL encoding for parameters passed through URLs. Organizations should also consider implementing Content Security Policy headers to limit the execution of unauthorized scripts and establish proper input validation routines that reject or sanitize potentially malicious content. Additionally, regular security testing including automated vulnerability scanning and manual penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other application components, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1213 which covers data from information repositories, and ensuring comprehensive protection against similar injection vulnerabilities across the application stack.