CVE-2006-4973 in DotNetNuke
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Default.aspx in Perpetual Motion Interactive Systems DotNetNuke before 3.3.5, and 4.x before 4.3.5, allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary HTML via the error parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/24/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-4973 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the DotNetNuke content management system developed by Perpetual Motion Interactive Systems. This vulnerability specifically affects versions prior to 3.3.5 in the 3.x series and 4.3.5 in the 4.x series, creating a significant security risk for organizations utilizing these older versions. The flaw manifests in the Default.aspx page where user input is not properly sanitized, allowing malicious actors to inject arbitrary HTML code through the error parameter. This type of vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-79, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting vulnerabilities, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 for exploitation of web application vulnerabilities. The attack vector is particularly dangerous as it enables remote code execution through client-side scripting, potentially allowing threat actors to hijack user sessions, steal sensitive information, or redirect victims to malicious websites.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the improper handling of user-supplied input within the DotNetNuke framework's default error handling mechanism. When the error parameter is passed to the Default.aspx page without adequate sanitization or encoding, the system fails to validate the input against known malicious patterns or HTML tags. This lack of input validation creates an environment where attackers can embed JavaScript code or other malicious HTML elements that execute in the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it leverages the web application's own error reporting functionality as an attack surface, making it difficult to detect and prevent through traditional network security measures. The flaw demonstrates a fundamental failure in the application's security architecture to implement proper output encoding and input validation mechanisms that are essential for preventing XSS attacks.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents severe implications for organizations running affected DotNetNuke versions, as it allows attackers to execute arbitrary code within the browser context of authenticated users. The impact extends beyond simple data theft to include session hijacking, credential harvesting, and potential lateral movement within the network. Attackers could craft malicious URLs containing the XSS payload that, when clicked by an unsuspecting user, would execute the embedded code and compromise the user's session. This vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059 for command and scripting interpreter, as the injected code could potentially execute commands or establish persistent access. Organizations utilizing these vulnerable versions face significant risk of data breaches, regulatory compliance violations, and reputational damage, particularly if the compromised users have administrative privileges within the DotNetNuke system.
The recommended mitigation strategy involves immediate upgrading to DotNetNuke versions 3.3.5 or 4.3.5, which contain the necessary patches to address this vulnerability. Organizations should also implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms as part of their security hardening efforts, ensuring that all user-supplied data is properly sanitized before being processed or displayed. Additional protective measures include implementing Content Security Policy headers to limit the sources from which scripts can be executed, using web application firewalls to detect and block malicious payloads, and conducting regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities. The vulnerability serves as a critical reminder of the importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions and implementing defense-in-depth strategies that include both perimeter security controls and application-level protections. Organizations should also establish robust patch management processes to ensure timely deployment of security updates and maintain comprehensive incident response procedures to address potential exploitation attempts.