CVE-2006-6197 in b2evolution
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in b2evolution 1.8.2 through 1.9 beta allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) app_name parameter in (a) _404_not_found.page.php, (b) _410_stats_gone.page.php, and (c) _referer_spam.page.php in inc/VIEW/errors/; the (2) baseurl parameter in (d) inc/VIEW/errors/_404_not_found.page.php; and the (3) ReqURI parameter in (e) inc/VIEW/errors/_referer_spam.page.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/27/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2006-6197 represents a critical cross-site scripting weakness affecting b2evolution content management systems version 1.8.2 through 1.9 beta. This flaw exists within the error handling mechanisms of the application, specifically in the error page rendering components located in the inc/VIEW/errors/ directory. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output sanitization of user-supplied parameters that are directly incorporated into HTML responses without proper encoding or filtering. Attackers can exploit this weakness by manipulating specific URL parameters to inject malicious scripts that execute in the context of other users' browsers when they view the affected error pages.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves three distinct parameter injection points that collectively represent a comprehensive XSS attack surface within the error handling subsystem. The first parameter app_name found in _404_not_found.page.php, _410_stats_gone.page.php, and _referer_spam.page.php demonstrates a classic reflected XSS vulnerability where user input flows directly into the HTTP response without proper sanitization. The second vulnerability occurs with the baseurl parameter in _404_not_found.page.php, which allows attackers to inject malicious content into URL references that are subsequently rendered in the browser. The third vulnerability involves the ReqURI parameter in _referer_spam.page.php, which similarly permits injection of script code into the error page output. These vulnerabilities collectively map to CWE-79: Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, which is categorized under the OWASP Top Ten as a critical security weakness.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it enables attackers to perform session hijacking, defacement of the website, and potential data theft from authenticated users. When victims navigate to error pages that contain maliciously injected scripts, the scripts execute in the victim's browser context, potentially allowing attackers to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or modify website content. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it affects core error handling functionality that is likely to be triggered during normal website operation, making it difficult to predict when attacks might occur. This weakness provides attackers with persistent opportunities to compromise user sessions and execute arbitrary commands within the context of the vulnerable application.
Security professionals should implement multiple layers of defense to mitigate this vulnerability, starting with immediate patching of affected b2evolution installations to version 1.9 or later where the XSS flaws have been resolved. Input validation should be strengthened at all entry points, particularly in error handling components, with proper HTML encoding of all user-supplied content before rendering. The principle of least privilege should be applied to error page generation, ensuring that only necessary parameters are processed and that all inputs are rigorously validated against expected formats. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy headers can provide an additional defense layer by restricting script execution and preventing unauthorized code injection. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001: Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment, as it enables attackers to craft malicious error pages that can be used in social engineering campaigns to deliver payloads to unsuspecting users. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive security testing of their web applications, particularly focusing on error handling and input validation mechanisms, to identify similar vulnerabilities that may exist in other components of their software infrastructure.