CVE-2006-5194 in net2ftp
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in index.php in net2ftp 0.93 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the username parameter. NOTE: some of these details are obtained from third party information.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/23/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-5194 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the net2ftp file transfer application version 0.93. This security weakness resides in the index.php script where user input validation is insufficient, creating an avenue for malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability specifically targets the username parameter, which when improperly handled during the application's authentication or session management processes, allows attackers to inject malicious payloads that can persist and execute in the victim's browser environment.
This particular XSS vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is classified as a critical web application security flaw that enables attackers to inject client-side scripts into web pages viewed by other users. The attack vector leverages the insecure handling of user-supplied input through the username parameter, which is processed without proper sanitization or encoding mechanisms. The vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental flaw in input validation and output encoding practices within the net2ftp application, where the system fails to properly escape or validate user-provided data before incorporating it into dynamic web content.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to perform various malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, data exfiltration, and redirection to malicious websites. When a victim browses to a page that executes the malicious script injected through the username parameter, the attacker's code executes in the victim's browser context with the privileges of that user. This can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive files, modification of user data, and potential compromise of the entire user session. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in a file transfer application context where users may be accessing sensitive corporate or personal data, making the potential attack surface more significant.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2006-5194 should focus on implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application's codebase. The recommended approach involves sanitizing all user inputs including the username parameter through proper escaping techniques before incorporating them into web page content. This includes implementing context-specific encoding such as HTML entity encoding for web page output, JavaScript encoding for script contexts, and URL encoding for URL parameters. Organizations should also implement Content Security Policy headers to limit the sources from which scripts can be loaded and executed. Additionally, the net2ftp application should be updated to a patched version that properly addresses the input validation flaw, as this vulnerability is classified under the ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, specifically targeting web application vulnerabilities that allow for client-side code execution through user input manipulation. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of input sanitization and output encoding practices in preventing XSS attacks, which are among the most prevalent web application security threats according to the OWASP Top Ten project.