CVE-2006-7004 in PSY Auction
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in email_request.php in PSY Auction allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the user_id parameter. NOTE: the provenance of this information is unknown; the details are obtained solely from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/13/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-7004 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the email_request.php component of PSY Auction software. This type of vulnerability falls under the broader category of web application security weaknesses that enable malicious actors to inject client-side scripts into web pages viewed by other users. The specific exposure occurs through the user_id parameter, which serves as an entry point for attackers to execute unauthorized code within the victim's browser context. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-79, which defines cross-site scripting as a weakness that allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web applications that are then executed by other users. This particular flaw demonstrates how insufficient input validation and output encoding can create persistent security risks in web-based systems.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious payload containing HTML or JavaScript code and injects it through the user_id parameter in the email_request.php script. When the vulnerable application processes this parameter without proper sanitization, the malicious content becomes part of the web page's dynamic content, leading to script execution in the context of the victim's browser session. The attack vector operates entirely through web-based communication channels, requiring no special privileges or local system access. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that it affects the email request functionality, which suggests that users may be prompted to interact with the application during normal operations, providing multiple opportunities for exploitation. This weakness directly violates the principle of proper input validation and demonstrates how parameter handling can compromise web application integrity.
From an operational perspective, the exploitation of this XSS vulnerability can lead to several serious consequences including session hijacking, credential theft, data exfiltration, and the potential for further attacks within the compromised user's browser environment. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or inject malicious content that appears legitimate to users. The impact extends beyond individual user compromise to potentially affect the broader application ecosystem, especially if the vulnerable application handles sensitive user data or administrative functions. The vulnerability's presence in email_request.php suggests that it could be particularly dangerous in environments where users might be prompted to enter personal information or where the application serves as a gateway to more sensitive system components. This type of vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566, which covers social engineering tactics that exploit web application vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access to systems.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application's codebase. The most effective approach involves sanitizing all user-supplied input, particularly parameters like user_id, before processing or displaying them in web responses. Implementing proper content security policies and using secure coding practices such as parameterized queries and HTML escaping can significantly reduce the risk of XSS exploitation. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious input patterns, while conducting regular security assessments and code reviews to identify similar vulnerabilities. The remediation process should include thorough testing of all input parameters and ensuring that output encoding is consistently applied across all dynamic content generation points. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and monitoring for unusual user activity can help detect potential exploitation attempts and minimize the impact of successful attacks.