CVE-2006-6589 in Opentaps
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in ecommerce/control/keywordsearch in the Apache Open For Business Project (OFBiz) and Opentaps 0.9.3 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the SEARCH_STRING parameter, a different issue than CVE-2006-6587. NOTE: some of these details are obtained from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/09/2017
The CVE-2006-6589 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw discovered in the Apache Open For Business Project (OFBiz) and Opentaps 0.9.3 web applications. This vulnerability specifically targets the ecommerce/control/keywordsearch component where user input is not properly sanitized before being rendered back to web browsers. The vulnerability exists in the SEARCH_STRING parameter handling mechanism, allowing malicious actors to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content into the application's response. This issue is distinct from CVE-2006-6587, indicating separate attack vectors within the same software ecosystem. The flaw stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding practices that fail to properly escape special characters in user-supplied data before it is processed and displayed within the web interface.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic XSS attack pattern where untrusted input flows directly into the application's output without appropriate sanitization. When users submit search queries through the SEARCH_STRING parameter, the application processes this input without adequate filtering or encoding, creating an environment where malicious scripts can be executed in the context of other users' browsers. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws in software applications. The attack surface is particularly concerning as it operates within the core e-commerce functionality where users frequently interact with search capabilities, making it a prime target for exploitation.
The operational impact of CVE-2006-6589 extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as it enables attackers to potentially hijack user sessions, redirect victims to malicious websites, or extract sensitive information from authenticated sessions. In an e-commerce environment, this vulnerability could allow attackers to steal customer credentials, manipulate transaction data, or gain unauthorized access to customer accounts. The vulnerability's location within the keyword search functionality means that any user interacting with the search feature could become a victim, making the attack surface particularly broad. From an attacker's perspective, this vulnerability maps to ATT&CK technique T1531 which involves using malicious code to gain access to systems and data. The potential for session hijacking and credential theft makes this a particularly dangerous vulnerability in business-critical applications.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2006-6589 must focus on implementing robust input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application's data flow. Organizations should immediately apply the vendor-provided patches or updates that address this specific vulnerability in their OFBiz or Opentaps installations. The recommended approach includes implementing proper HTML entity encoding for all user-supplied input before rendering it in web pages, employing Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution, and establishing comprehensive input validation routines that reject or sanitize potentially malicious content. Additionally, security teams should conduct thorough code reviews focusing on parameter handling within search and input functions, implement web application firewalls to detect and block malicious payloads, and establish regular security testing procedures including automated scanning and manual penetration testing to identify similar vulnerabilities. The remediation process should also include educating developers about secure coding practices and the importance of input sanitization to prevent similar issues in future development cycles.