CVE-2006-5643 in foresite CMS
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in search_de.html in foresite CMS allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the query parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/26/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-5643 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the foresite content management system, specifically affecting the search_de.html component. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category known as "Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting')", which is one of the most prevalent and dangerous web application security issues. The flaw exists in how the application processes user input through the query parameter, failing to properly sanitize or escape potentially malicious content before rendering it in web pages.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when remote attackers submit malicious payloads through the query parameter of the search_de.html page. When the application processes this input without adequate validation or output encoding, it inadvertently executes the injected script within the context of other users' browsers. This creates a persistent threat where any user accessing the affected page could be compromised, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous in multi-user environments. The attack vector is classified as a reflected XSS vulnerability since the malicious script is reflected off the web server and executed in the victim's browser.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of users, redirect them to malicious sites, or even deface the website content. In the context of a content management system, this vulnerability could allow attackers to gain unauthorized access to administrative functions or modify published content. The attack requires no special privileges and can be executed through simple web browser interactions, making it highly accessible to threat actors of varying skill levels. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1531 - "Account Access Removal" and T1059 - "Command and Scripting Interpreter" through the exploitation of web application vulnerabilities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2006-5643 should focus on implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms. The most effective approach involves sanitizing all user-supplied input through strict validation rules and applying context-specific encoding before rendering any data in web pages. This includes implementing Content Security Policy headers, using parameterized queries where applicable, and ensuring that all dynamic content is properly escaped according to the target context. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and regular security scanning to detect similar vulnerabilities. The remediation process requires immediate patching of the foresite CMS or implementation of custom input validation routines to prevent the query parameter from being processed without proper sanitization, aligning with industry best practices outlined in OWASP Top 10 and NIST cybersecurity guidelines.