CVE-2006-4762 in RssReader
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in Ykoon RssReader allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via a web feed, as demonstrated by certain test cases of the Robert Auger and Caleb Sima RSS and Atom feed reader test suite.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/24/2017
The CVE-2006-4762 vulnerability represents a significant security flaw in the Ykoon RssReader application that exposes users to cross-site scripting attacks through maliciously crafted web feeds. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, specifically targeting the improper handling of user-supplied input within web applications. The vulnerability manifests when the RSS reader processes feeds that contain malicious script code, allowing attackers to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content that executes in the context of the user's browser session.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs within the RSS feed parsing and rendering mechanisms of the Ykoon RssReader application. When the application processes incoming RSS or Atom feeds, it fails to properly sanitize or escape user-provided content before displaying it to end users. This lack of input validation creates an environment where malicious actors can craft specially formatted feeds containing embedded script tags, javascript: URLs, or other malicious HTML content that gets executed when users view the feed within the vulnerable application. The vulnerability was specifically demonstrated using test cases from the Robert Auger and Caleb Sima RSS and Atom feed reader test suite, which provided standardized methods for identifying such security flaws in feed processing applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with the capability to perform session hijacking, defacement of user interfaces, data theft, and other malicious activities. When users access compromised feeds through the vulnerable RSS reader, their browsers execute the injected scripts in the context of the application's domain, potentially allowing attackers to access cookies, localStorage, or other session information. This creates a significant risk for users who regularly access RSS feeds from untrusted sources, as the attack vector requires minimal user interaction beyond viewing the malicious feed content. The vulnerability also demonstrates the broader risk associated with feed readers that do not implement proper content sanitization mechanisms.
Organizations and users affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including updating to patched versions of the Ykoon RssReader application, implementing content filtering mechanisms, and establishing secure feed sourcing practices. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript, with potential T1566.001 for Initial Access: Phishing via Email or T1566.002 for Phishing via Social Media. Security measures should include input validation at multiple layers, output encoding, and the implementation of Content Security Policies to prevent execution of unauthorized scripts. Additionally, the vulnerability highlights the importance of proper web application security testing, particularly for applications that process third-party content, and demonstrates the critical need for regular security assessments of feed processing systems to prevent similar issues from occurring in other similar applications.