CVE-2006-4958 in Secure Global Desktop
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in Sun Secure Global Desktop (SSGD, aka Tarantella) before 4.20.983 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors, possibly involving (1) taarchives.cgi, (2) ttaAuthentication.jsp, (3) ttalicense.cgi, (4) ttawlogin.cgi, (5) ttawebtop.cgi, (6) ttaabout.cgi, or (7) test-cgi. NOTE: This information is based upon a vague initial disclosure. Details will be updated as they become available.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/13/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-4958 represents a critical cross-site scripting weakness in Sun Secure Global Desktop version 4.20.983 and earlier releases. This security flaw affects a comprehensive suite of CGI and JSP components within the Secure Global Desktop platform, creating multiple attack vectors that could be exploited by remote threat actors. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the web application's core components, specifically targeting the taarchives.cgi, ttaAuthentication.jsp, ttalicense.cgi, ttawlogin.cgi, ttawebtop.cgi, ttaabout.cgi, and test-cgi modules. The affected system operates as a remote desktop solution that allows users to access enterprise applications through web browsers, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to compromise user sessions and execute malicious code within the context of authenticated user browsers.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves injecting malicious scripts or HTML code through unspecified input vectors that traverse the application's CGI and JSP interfaces. These attack vectors likely involve parameters or input fields that are not properly sanitized or encoded before being rendered in web responses. The vulnerability classifies under CWE-79, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter. When successfully exploited, attackers can execute arbitrary scripts in the context of the victim's browser session, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites. The impact extends beyond simple script execution as the compromised sessions could provide access to sensitive enterprise applications and data that the authenticated users can access through the Secure Global Desktop platform.
The operational consequences of this vulnerability are severe for organizations utilizing Sun Secure Global Desktop, particularly in enterprise environments where the platform serves as a gateway to critical business applications. Attackers leveraging this vulnerability could potentially gain unauthorized access to sensitive data, manipulate user sessions, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users without their knowledge. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that the vulnerable components handle authentication processes, license management, and core webtop functionality that are essential to the platform's operation. Organizations may face significant security risks including data breaches, unauthorized access to enterprise resources, and potential compliance violations, especially in regulated environments where user session integrity and data protection are paramount. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that it affects multiple core components, increasing the likelihood that an attacker could find a successful exploitation path through any of the listed vulnerable modules.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2006-4958 should prioritize immediate patching of the affected Sun Secure Global Desktop version to 4.20.983 or later releases that contain the necessary security fixes. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms across all web application interfaces, particularly focusing on the identified vulnerable CGI and JSP components. Network segmentation and access controls should be reinforced to limit exposure of the vulnerable components to untrusted networks. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify additional potential vulnerabilities within the Secure Global Desktop environment. The implementation of web application firewalls and content security policies can provide additional layers of protection against XSS attacks. Security teams should also establish monitoring procedures to detect potential exploitation attempts and maintain updated threat intelligence regarding similar vulnerabilities in related web application frameworks. Organizations should conduct thorough security awareness training for administrators and users to recognize potential social engineering attempts that may accompany XSS attacks. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing of patched systems to ensure that the security fixes do not introduce compatibility issues with existing enterprise applications and services that depend on the Secure Global Desktop platform.