CVE-2006-5530 in SimpNews
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in Boesch SimpNews before 2.34.01 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified parameters to (1) admin/index.php, (2) admin/pwlost.php, and unspecified other files. NOTE: the provenance of this information is unknown; the details are obtained from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/25/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-5530 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting Boesch SimpNews versions prior to 2.34.01. This vulnerability resides within the administrative interface of the content management system and exposes multiple entry points to malicious actors seeking to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code. The flaw specifically impacts the admin/index.php and admin/pwlost.php files, while additional unspecified files within the application remain potentially vulnerable. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly filter malicious content submitted through various parameters.
The technical implementation of this XSS vulnerability demonstrates a classic weakness in web application security where user-supplied data enters the application without proper validation or encoding. Attackers can exploit this flaw by crafting malicious payloads that are then executed in the context of other users' browsers who visit the compromised pages. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-79 which defines cross-site scripting as the insertion of malicious code into web pages viewed by other users. This weakness allows attackers to bypass normal access controls and potentially escalate privileges, steal session cookies, or redirect users to malicious websites.
The operational impact of CVE-2006-5530 extends beyond simple script injection, creating significant risks for organizations utilizing Boesch SimpNews. Attackers could exploit this vulnerability to hijack user sessions, particularly targeting administrative accounts that have elevated privileges. The compromised administrative interface provides attackers with potential access to sensitive system configuration, content management capabilities, and user data. Additionally, the vulnerability could facilitate the deployment of more sophisticated attacks such as credential theft, data exfiltration, or the establishment of persistent backdoors within the compromised environment. The presence of multiple affected files increases the attack surface and makes comprehensive protection more challenging.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of affected Boesch SimpNews installations to version 2.34.01 or later. Organizations should implement proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in the future. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide additional defense-in-depth measures against XSS attacks. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual patterns in parameter submissions and user behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other web applications. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under the T1059.007 technique for script injection attacks, emphasizing the need for proper input sanitization and output encoding as primary defensive measures. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to provide additional protection against such exploitation attempts while maintaining the integrity of their web applications.