CVE-2006-5106 in FacileForms
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in FacileForms before 1.4.7 for Mambo and Joomla!, when either register_globals or RG_EMULATION is enabled, allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/23/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-5106 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the FacileForms component for Mambo and Joomla! platforms. This security weakness exists in versions prior to 1.4.7 and specifically manifests when either the register_globals directive or RG_EMULATION is enabled within the PHP configuration. The flaw enables remote attackers to execute malicious scripts or HTML code within the context of other users' browsers, creating a significant risk for web application security. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output sanitization mechanisms within the FacileForms component, which fails to properly escape or filter user-supplied data before rendering it in web pages.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of input parameters that are processed by the FacileForms component when register_globals is enabled. When this PHP configuration setting is active, it automatically creates global variables from request data, effectively bypassing normal variable scope rules and creating numerous potential injection points throughout the application. The vulnerability exists in unspecified vectors, indicating that multiple input paths within the component could be exploited, including form fields, URL parameters, or other user-controllable inputs. This broad attack surface significantly increases the potential impact and makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous as attackers can leverage various entry points to deliver malicious payloads.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can be leveraged to perform numerous malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, defacement of web pages, and redirection to malicious sites. Attackers can craft payloads that steal cookies, session tokens, or other sensitive information from authenticated users, potentially leading to complete account compromise and unauthorized access to administrative functions. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in the context of content management systems like Mambo and Joomla! where users often have elevated privileges and the application may handle sensitive data. This flaw creates a persistent threat vector that remains active as long as vulnerable versions are deployed, making it a prime target for automated exploitation tools and widespread attack campaigns.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate action to upgrade to FacileForms version 1.4.7 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the XSS flaws. System administrators should also consider disabling register_globals and RG_EMULATION in PHP configurations, as these settings significantly increase the attack surface and create additional security risks beyond this specific vulnerability. Implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the application code can provide additional defense layers, aligning with CWE-79 principles for preventing cross-site scripting attacks. Organizations should also deploy web application firewalls and content security policies to detect and prevent malicious script injection attempts, while monitoring for suspicious activities that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of keeping third-party components updated and following secure coding practices, as outlined in the ATT&CK framework's application security categories that emphasize the need for robust input sanitization and proper output encoding to prevent code injection vulnerabilities.