CVE-2006-4956 in Neon WebMail
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the updateuser servlet in Neon WebMail for Java before 5.08 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the in_name parameter, as used by the Name field.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/13/2025
The CVE-2006-4956 vulnerability represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw in the Neon WebMail for Java application's updateuser servlet component. This security weakness specifically targets the Name field input parameter known as in_name, which fails to properly sanitize user-provided data before processing. The vulnerability exists within the web application's server-side processing logic where user input flows directly into the response without adequate validation or encoding mechanisms. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious script code within the Name field during user account updates, thereby enabling persistent XSS attacks against other users of the webmail system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to implement proper input sanitization and output encoding practices. When the updateuser servlet processes the in_name parameter, it does not validate or escape special characters that could be interpreted as HTML or JavaScript code by web browsers. This allows attackers to inject malicious payloads that execute in the context of other users' browsers when they view the affected user profiles. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-79 as Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, which specifically addresses the failure to properly encode or escape user-controllable data before including it in web responses. The flaw demonstrates a fundamental lack of defense-in-depth measures typically required for web application security.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as it enables attackers to establish persistent footholds within the webmail environment. Once exploited, malicious scripts can steal session cookies, redirect users to phishing sites, or even modify user account settings. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it leverages legitimate application functionality to deliver malicious payloads, making detection more difficult for security monitoring systems. The vulnerability affects all versions of Neon WebMail for Java prior to 5.08, indicating that this was a known issue that required a specific version upgrade to resolve. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for Initial Access through Valid Accounts, as attackers could use compromised user sessions to further escalate privileges within the system.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability involve implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application's data flow. Organizations should deploy proper parameter validation that rejects or sanitizes potentially dangerous characters such as angle brackets, quotes, and script tags. The application should enforce strict output encoding when displaying user-controllable data, particularly in HTML contexts where script execution could occur. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy headers can provide an additional layer of protection against XSS attacks by restricting script execution within the application's context. The most effective long-term solution requires upgrading to Neon WebMail for Java version 5.08 or later, which includes proper input sanitization and validation controls. Security teams should also establish regular vulnerability assessment procedures to identify similar issues in other web applications and ensure that input/output handling follows established security best practices and standards.