CVE-2006-4856 in Roller WebLogger
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in Roller WebLogger 2.3 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) name, (2) email, or (3) url parameters; (4) certain content parameters in the preview method; or (5) the q parameter in (a) sitesearch.do.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/14/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-4856 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting Roller WebLogger version 2.3, a popular open-source weblogging platform. This vulnerability resides in the application's insufficient input validation mechanisms, which fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data before processing and rendering within web pages. The flaw manifests across multiple parameter vectors including name, email, url, content parameters during preview operations, and the q parameter in sitesearch.do functionality, creating numerous attack surfaces for malicious actors seeking to exploit this weakness.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to employ proper output encoding and input sanitization techniques when handling user-provided data. According to CWE-79, this vulnerability directly maps to Cross-Site Scripting flaws where untrusted data is incorporated into web pages without adequate validation or encoding. The vulnerability operates by allowing attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code or HTML content through the affected parameters, which are then executed in the context of other users' browsers when they view the compromised content. This creates a persistent threat vector where malicious scripts can access cookies, session tokens, or perform unauthorized actions on behalf of victims.
The operational impact of CVE-2006-4856 extends beyond simple data corruption or display issues, as it enables sophisticated attack scenarios that can compromise user sessions and potentially lead to complete account takeover. Attackers can leverage these vulnerabilities to inject malicious scripts that steal session cookies, redirect users to phishing sites, or manipulate the logging application's functionality. The preview method vulnerability is particularly concerning as it allows attackers to craft malicious content that executes during content rendering, while the search parameter vulnerability enables attackers to inject scripts into search results pages. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1531 which involves using malicious input to manipulate application behavior and potentially gain unauthorized access to user data or system resources.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application. Organizations should implement strict parameter validation that rejects or sanitizes potentially malicious input, particularly for all user-facing parameters including name, email, url, and content fields. The application should employ proper HTML entity encoding when rendering user-supplied content to prevent script execution in web contexts. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy headers can provide an additional layer of protection against XSS attacks. Regular security audits and code reviews should focus on input handling mechanisms to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in future releases, with particular attention to the OWASP Top Ten categories that include XSS as a critical security risk. The remediation process should also include updating the Roller WebLogger application to a patched version that addresses these specific validation weaknesses and implements proper sanitization controls.