CVE-2006-6272 in Simple PHP Gallery
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in sp_index.php in Simple PHP Gallery 1.1 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the dir parameter.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/28/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-6272 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the Simple PHP Gallery 1.1 web application. This issue manifests in the sp_index.php script where the dir parameter fails to properly sanitize user input before incorporating it into the web page output. The weakness creates an opportunity for remote attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of other users' browsers who visit affected pages. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding practices that are fundamental to preventing XSS attacks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the application directly echoes user-supplied directory parameters without appropriate sanitization or encoding mechanisms. When an attacker crafts a malicious URL containing script tags within the dir parameter, the gallery application processes this input and renders it as part of the HTML response without proper HTML escaping or context-aware encoding. This allows attackers to inject arbitrary JavaScript code that executes in the victim's browser context. The flaw operates at the application layer and requires no authentication to exploit, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged by anyone who can access the vulnerable gallery interface.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection to potentially enable more sophisticated attack vectors. An attacker could craft payloads that steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. This vulnerability directly relates to CWE-79 which defines the weakness of cross-site scripting in software applications. The attack surface is significant as it affects any user who visits a compromised gallery page, potentially leading to widespread session hijacking or data exfiltration. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 which covers spearphishing with a malicious attachment, as attackers could leverage this flaw to deliver malicious payloads through seemingly legitimate gallery pages.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2006-6272 require immediate implementation of proper input validation and output encoding measures. The most effective approach involves sanitizing all user-provided input through strict validation that rejects or encodes potentially dangerous characters before processing. The application should implement context-aware output encoding, particularly when rendering user data within HTML contexts. Additionally, developers should employ a whitelist approach for directory parameters, allowing only predefined safe values rather than accepting arbitrary input. The gallery should also implement proper HTTP headers such as Content Security Policy to further limit script execution capabilities. Regular security audits and input validation testing should be conducted to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in future releases, as this flaw demonstrates the critical importance of input sanitization in web applications. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the fundamental security principles that must be applied consistently throughout application development processes to prevent exploitation of common web vulnerabilities.