CVE-2006-6283 in Vikingboard
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in Vikingboard 0.1.2 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the subject field of (1) a private message (PM) or (2) a bulletin board post.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/09/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-6283 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within Vikingboard 0.1.2, a bulletin board system that was widely used in web applications during that era. This vulnerability specifically targets the input validation mechanisms of the software, creating an exploitable condition that allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content into the application's user interface. The flaw exists in the handling of user-submitted data within the subject fields of both private messages and bulletin board posts, making it particularly dangerous as it affects core communication features of the platform.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications. The vulnerability operates by failing to properly sanitize or escape user input before rendering it within the web page context. When users submit content to the subject field of either private messages or bulletin board posts, the application does not adequately validate or encode the input, allowing attackers to embed malicious scripts that execute in the context of other users' browsers. This creates a persistent threat where any user who views the affected posts or messages becomes a victim of the injection attack, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or further exploitation of the compromised user's privileges.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it fundamentally undermines the security posture of any system running the affected Vikingboard version. Attackers can leverage this flaw to redirect users to malicious websites, steal session cookies, perform actions on behalf of authenticated users, or even deface the bulletin board itself. The persistent nature of the vulnerability means that once an attacker successfully injects malicious content, it remains active until manually removed by administrators, potentially affecting all users who encounter the compromised posts. This type of vulnerability is particularly concerning in community forums and bulletin board systems where users frequently interact with content submitted by others, as it creates a vector for widespread exploitation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of input sanitization and output encoding measures. Organizations should ensure that all user-submitted content, particularly in fields that are rendered directly in web pages, undergoes proper validation and encoding before being stored or displayed. The recommended approach involves implementing strict input filtering that removes or encodes potentially dangerous characters and patterns, combined with output encoding that ensures any user-generated content is properly escaped when rendered in HTML contexts. Additionally, administrators should consider implementing Content Security Policy headers and regular security audits of the application's input handling mechanisms. This vulnerability also highlights the importance of keeping web applications updated and patched, as it represents a classic example of how insufficient input validation can create persistent security risks in web-based platforms. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under T1059.001 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, as it enables attackers to execute malicious code through web-based interfaces, and T1566.001 for Phishing, as the vulnerability can be exploited to deliver malicious payloads through seemingly legitimate forum communications.