CVE-2006-7033 in Super Link Exchange Script
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Super Link Exchange Script 1.0 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via IMG tags in the search box.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/11/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-7033 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the Super Link Exchange Script version 1.0, a web application designed for managing link exchanges. This type of vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-79 which specifically addresses improper neutralization of input during web output, making it a critical concern for web application security. The flaw manifests when the application fails to properly sanitize user input before rendering it in web pages, creating an opportunity for malicious actors to execute arbitrary scripts in the context of other users' browsers.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the search functionality of the Super Link Exchange Script, where attackers can inject malicious content directly into the search box parameter. When the application processes this input without adequate validation or sanitization, it allows IMG tags and other HTML elements to be rendered in the web page output. This injection mechanism enables attackers to execute scripts that can steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. The vulnerability specifically leverages the fact that the application does not properly escape or filter special characters that could be interpreted as HTML or script commands, creating a direct path for malicious input to be executed.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with the capability to establish persistent malicious presence within the affected web application. According to ATT&CK framework category T1059.002, this vulnerability enables code injection techniques that can be used for command and control operations. The consequences include potential session hijacking where attackers can impersonate legitimate users, data exfiltration through stolen cookies or session tokens, and the ability to manipulate the application's behavior. Users who browse the affected site may unknowingly execute malicious scripts that can lead to complete account compromise, especially if they are authenticated administrators or regular users with elevated privileges.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing robust input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application. The most effective approach involves applying proper HTML escaping to all user-supplied input before rendering it in web pages, ensuring that characters such as angle brackets, quotes, and other special symbols are properly encoded. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy headers can provide an additional layer of protection against script execution. The application should also employ proper parameter validation and sanitization techniques to reject or filter out potentially malicious input patterns. According to industry best practices, this vulnerability highlights the importance of following secure coding guidelines that emphasize input validation, output encoding, and the principle of least privilege in web application development. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify similar issues in other parts of the application, as this type of flaw often indicates broader security weaknesses that may affect other input handling mechanisms within the same codebase.