CVE-2006-5529 in SchoolAlumni Portal
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in smumdadotcom_ascyb_alumni/mod.php in SchoolAlumni Portal 2.26 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the query parameter in a search operation in the katalog module. NOTE: some of these details are obtained from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/25/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-5529 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the SchoolAlumni Portal 2.26 application, specifically affecting the smumdadotcom_ascyb_alumni/mod.php component. This vulnerability resides in the katalog module's search functionality where user input is not properly sanitized or validated before being processed and returned to users. The flaw occurs when attackers exploit the query parameter handling during search operations, enabling them to inject malicious web scripts or HTML content that executes in the context of other users' browsers. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is classified as a critical security weakness in web applications. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects a module designed for alumni management and catalog operations, making it accessible to a wide range of users who might interact with the application's search functionality.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious payload containing HTML or JavaScript code and submits it through the vulnerable query parameter in the search operation. The application fails to properly escape or filter this input before rendering it back to the user interface, allowing the injected code to execute in the victim's browser context. This creates a persistent threat where any user who views the search results or interacts with the affected module could unknowingly execute the attacker's malicious code. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation practices and inadequate output encoding, which are fundamental security principles that should be implemented at every layer of web application development. The attack vector specifically targets the katalog module's search functionality, making it a targeted weakness within the broader SchoolAlumni Portal framework.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as it can enable more sophisticated attacks such as session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites. An attacker could potentially steal user sessions, gain unauthorized access to alumni records, or manipulate the application's behavior to serve malicious content to other users. This vulnerability particularly affects organizations using the SchoolAlumni Portal for managing alumni databases, as it could compromise sensitive personal information and institutional data. The attack surface is broad since any user interacting with the search functionality could become a victim, making this a significant risk for educational institutions relying on such platforms for alumni engagement and management. The vulnerability also represents a failure in the application's security architecture, as it demonstrates inadequate protection against common web application attacks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2006-5529 should focus on implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application's codebase. The most effective approach involves sanitizing all user inputs, particularly those used in search operations, by applying appropriate HTML escaping or encoding before rendering content back to users. Organizations should also implement Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to limit the execution of unauthorized scripts and establish proper input validation routines that reject or sanitize potentially dangerous characters and patterns. The fix should include updating the smumdadotcom_ascyb_alumni/mod.php component to properly handle the query parameter, ensuring that all user-supplied data is validated and sanitized before processing. Additionally, regular security testing including dynamic application security testing and manual code reviews should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities. This vulnerability highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to security standards such as those outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST guidelines for web application security. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring systems to detect and prevent exploitation attempts. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing to ensure that the fix does not introduce new functionality issues while effectively addressing the XSS vulnerability.