CVE-2007-6110 in htdig
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in htsearch in htdig 3.2.0b6 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the sort parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/02/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-6110 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the htsearch component of the htdig 3.2.0b6 web content indexing system. This vulnerability exists in the way the application processes user input through the sort parameter, creating an opportunity for malicious actors to execute arbitrary JavaScript code within the context of other users' browsers. The htsearch functionality is designed to provide search capabilities for web content indexed by htdig, which is a widely used open-source web crawler and search engine system. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the application fails to properly sanitize or encode user-supplied data before incorporating it into dynamically generated web pages, allowing attackers to inject malicious scripts that can be executed by unsuspecting users.
This XSS vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is a fundamental web application security weakness that occurs when an application includes untrusted data in a new web page without proper validation or escaping. The attack vector specifically targets the sort parameter, which is commonly used in web applications to control the ordering of search results or other data displays. When an attacker crafts a malicious sort parameter containing embedded JavaScript code, and this parameter is processed by the vulnerable htsearch component, the malicious script gets executed in the victim's browser session. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the application layer, where it can potentially be exploited to steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of users, or redirect users to malicious websites.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable more sophisticated attacks within the context of the affected web application. An attacker could potentially leverage this vulnerability to hijack user sessions, steal sensitive information from authenticated users, or manipulate the search results displayed to victims. The vulnerability affects the broader htdig ecosystem, which was commonly used in enterprise environments for internal web search capabilities, making it a potential vector for both external attackers seeking to compromise internal systems and internal threat actors with access to the search interface. This weakness could also serve as a stepping stone for more advanced attacks, as it allows for the execution of malicious code that could potentially lead to further exploitation of the underlying web infrastructure or access to additional system resources. The vulnerability's persistence in the search functionality means that any user interacting with the affected search interface could become a victim, making it particularly dangerous in multi-user environments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-6110 should focus on implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the htsearch component. The most effective approach involves sanitizing all user-supplied input parameters, particularly the sort parameter, by implementing strict validation that rejects or encodes potentially dangerous characters and sequences. Organizations should also consider updating to newer versions of htdig that have addressed this vulnerability, as the maintainers have likely implemented proper input sanitization and output encoding measures. Additionally, implementing a Content Security Policy (CSP) can provide an additional layer of protection by restricting the sources from which scripts can be executed within the browser context. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and output encoding practices, which are fundamental requirements in the OWASP Top Ten security framework and align with the defense-in-depth principles recommended by NIST cybersecurity guidelines. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can also help detect and block malicious requests containing XSS payloads, though these should not be relied upon as the sole defense mechanism. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the web application stack, ensuring that proper security controls are implemented throughout the entire system architecture.