CVE-2006-7042 in Chipmunk directory
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in directory/index.php in Chipmunk directory allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the start parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/17/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-7042 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the Chipmunk directory software's directory/index.php component. This security weakness specifically manifests when the application fails to properly sanitize user input passed through the start parameter, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content into the application's response. The vulnerability resides in the web application's input validation mechanisms, which should have implemented proper sanitization or encoding of user-supplied data before incorporating it into dynamic web content.
The technical exploitation of this XSS vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious payload and submits it through the start parameter in the URL. When the vulnerable application processes this input without adequate validation or sanitization, the injected script executes within the context of other users' browsers who subsequently access the affected page. This creates a persistent threat where the malicious code can manipulate the victim's browser session, steal cookies, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of users, or redirect them to malicious sites. The vulnerability classifies under CWE-79 as "Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting')", which is one of the most prevalent and well-documented web application security flaws.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations using the Chipmunk directory software, particularly those with user-generated content or collaborative features. The attack surface expands when considering that users might inadvertently click on malicious links or be exposed to compromised content through social engineering tactics. The impact can range from session hijacking and data theft to more sophisticated attacks such as credential harvesting or browser-based malware delivery. Organizations may experience reputational damage, regulatory compliance issues, and potential legal ramifications if user data is compromised through such attacks.
The mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should encompass multiple layers of defense to ensure comprehensive protection. The primary remediation involves implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the application code, specifically sanitizing all user-supplied data before incorporating it into dynamic web content. This includes implementing strict parameter validation for the start parameter and applying appropriate HTML entity encoding to prevent script execution. Organizations should also consider implementing Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution contexts and deploy web application firewalls to detect and block malicious payloads. Additionally, regular security testing including automated vulnerability scanning and manual penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar issues within the application's codebase. The remediation aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter and T1566 for credential harvesting, emphasizing the need for robust input validation to prevent exploitation of such vulnerabilities.