CVE-2006-7187 in WebAPP
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the show_recent_searches function in cgi-lib/user-lib/search.pl in web-app.net WebAPP before 20060909 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the srch variable.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/23/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-7187 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the web-app.net WebAPP platform, specifically affecting the show_recent_searches function in the cgi-lib/user-lib/search.pl component. This vulnerability existed in versions prior to 20060909 and demonstrates a fundamental failure in input validation and output sanitization within the web application's search functionality. The flaw allows remote attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of other users' browsers through manipulation of the srch parameter, creating a persistent security risk that affects all users interacting with the vulnerable system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate sanitization of user input within the search.pl script, which processes the srch variable without proper validation or encoding mechanisms. When users submit search queries through the web interface, the application fails to properly escape or filter special characters that could be interpreted as HTML or JavaScript code. This primitive form of input handling directly violates established security principles and creates an attack surface where malicious actors can inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content that executes in the victim's browser context. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and specifically targets the user session management and input processing components of the web application.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as it enables attackers to potentially hijack user sessions, steal sensitive information, or redirect users to malicious websites. The exploitation of this flaw allows adversaries to craft search queries containing malicious payloads that persist in the recent searches display, thereby affecting all subsequent users who view this functionality. This creates a chain reaction where each user who encounters the malicious search results becomes a potential vector for further attacks, enabling sophisticated social engineering campaigns or more advanced persistent threats. The vulnerability also aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and maps to attack techniques within the ATT&CK framework under T1566 for credential access through social engineering and T1059 for command and script injection.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application's search functionality. The most effective approach involves implementing strict sanitization of all user-supplied input, particularly before rendering any content in web pages, and applying appropriate HTML encoding to prevent script execution. Organizations should deploy web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious input patterns, while also ensuring that the affected web-app.net WebAPP is updated to version 20060909 or later. Additionally, regular security testing including dynamic application security testing and manual code reviews should be implemented to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components, as this flaw demonstrates the importance of comprehensive input validation across all user-facing interfaces.