CVE-2006-4708 in Vikingboard
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in Vikingboard 0.1b allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) act parameter in (a) help.php and (b) search.php, and the (2) p parameter in report.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/04/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-4708 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting Vikingboard version 0.1b, a web-based bulletin board system. This vulnerability resides in the application's handling of user-supplied input parameters within multiple script files, creating persistent security risks for any system utilizing this software. The flaw specifically manifests in three distinct locations within the application's codebase where user input is not properly sanitized or validated before being rendered back to users. These locations include the help.php script where the act parameter is processed, the search.php script with the same act parameter, and the report.php script where the p parameter is handled. The vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting attacks, making it a well-documented and dangerous class of web application security flaws.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute malicious scripts within the context of other users' browsers. When an attacker crafts a malicious payload and submits it through any of the vulnerable parameters, the application fails to properly escape or filter the input before displaying it to other users. This creates a persistent XSS vector where the injected code executes in the victim's browser session, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or unauthorized actions performed on behalf of the user. The attack requires no privileged access and can be executed through simple web requests, making it particularly dangerous for web applications that rely on user-generated content or administrative functionality. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation practices and inadequate output encoding, which are fundamental security principles that should be implemented at every layer of web application development.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, potentially enabling attackers to escalate privileges, steal sensitive information, or compromise the entire web application. An attacker could exploit these vulnerabilities to create persistent backdoors within the application, manipulate user sessions, or redirect users to malicious websites. The attack vectors are particularly concerning because they target core application functionality including help systems and search capabilities, which are frequently accessed by users. The vulnerability affects the application's integrity and user trust, as users may unknowingly interact with malicious content while performing routine tasks like seeking help or searching for information. This type of vulnerability can also facilitate more sophisticated attacks such as credential harvesting, session fixation, or even browser exploitation through the execution of malicious JavaScript code in the user's context. The attack surface is expanded due to the multiple entry points, increasing the likelihood of successful exploitation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2006-4708 should focus on implementing robust input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application. The primary fix involves sanitizing all user-supplied input parameters before they are processed or displayed, specifically ensuring that the act parameter in help.php and search.php, as well as the p parameter in report.php, are properly escaped for HTML context. This approach aligns with the OWASP Top Ten security guidelines and follows the principle of least privilege in input handling. Organizations should implement proper parameter validation using allow-lists for acceptable input values, employ HTML escaping libraries, and ensure that all dynamic content is properly encoded before rendering. Additionally, regular security audits should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other parts of the application, as this vulnerability represents a broader class of injection flaws that commonly occur in web applications. The fix should also include implementing Content Security Policy headers to add an additional layer of protection against XSS attacks, and ensuring that all application components follow secure coding practices as outlined in the ATT&CK framework for web application security.