CVE-2006-5096 in Virtuemart Joomla Ecommerrce Edition Cms
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in index.php in VirtueMart (formerly known as mambo-phpShop) Joomla! eCommerce Edition CMS 1.0.11, and possibly earlier, allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the Itemid parameter in a (1) com_contact or (2) subscribe action.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/23/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-5096 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting VirtueMart, an eCommerce solution built for the Joomla! content management system. This vulnerability specifically targets the index.php file within VirtueMart version 1.0.11 and potentially earlier iterations, creating a significant security risk for web applications that rely on this platform for online commerce operations. The flaw manifests through improper input validation mechanisms that fail to sanitize user-supplied data before incorporating it into web page responses.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of the Itemid parameter within specific URL structures. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious URLs that contain embedded script code within the Itemid parameter, which is then processed by the vulnerable VirtueMart application. When the application renders the page response, it executes the injected JavaScript code within the context of the victim's browser session, potentially compromising user data and system integrity. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting vulnerabilities where input data is not properly sanitized before being rendered in web pages.
The operational impact of CVE-2006-5096 extends beyond simple script injection, as it enables attackers to perform various malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, and data manipulation. The vulnerability affects two distinct attack vectors through the com_contact and subscribe action parameters, expanding the potential attack surface for malicious actors. When exploited, these XSS flaws can allow attackers to redirect users to malicious websites, steal cookies and session tokens, or inject malware directly into user browsers. The attack vectors are particularly concerning because they target core eCommerce functionality where users frequently enter sensitive information, making the potential for data breaches and financial fraud substantial.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in relation to the broader ATT&CK framework, specifically under the T1566 technique for initial access through malicious web content. The vulnerability's impact on web applications aligns with the broader category of web application attacks that compromise user trust and system integrity. Organizations using VirtueMart or similar eCommerce platforms should implement immediate mitigations including input validation, output encoding, and proper parameter sanitization. The recommended defensive measures include updating to patched versions of VirtueMart, implementing web application firewalls, and deploying content security policies to prevent execution of unauthorized scripts. Additionally, regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities within the application stack, particularly focusing on parameter handling and user input validation mechanisms that are critical for maintaining web application security.