CVE-2010-1606 in NCT Jobs Portal Script
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in NCT Jobs Portal Script allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) search, (2) Keywords, (3) Tags, or (4) Desired City field.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/01/2025
The CVE-2010-1606 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in the NCT Jobs Portal Script, a web application designed for job listings and recruitment management. This vulnerability exposes the system to persistent security risks by allowing malicious actors to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML code through multiple input vectors. The affected parameters include search functionality, keywords field, tags field, and desired city field, creating multiple attack surfaces for potential exploitation. The vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is classified as a fundamental web application security weakness that enables attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of other users' browsers. This particular implementation demonstrates how insufficient input validation and output encoding can create widespread exposure across multiple user input points within a single application component.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when unvalidated user input is directly embedded into web pages without proper sanitization or encoding mechanisms. Attackers can craft malicious payloads that, when processed by the application, get executed in the browsers of unsuspecting users who visit affected pages. The attack vectors are particularly dangerous because they target common user interaction points such as search functionality and job filtering parameters, which are frequently used by both legitimate users and malicious actors. When users enter crafted scripts into these fields, the application fails to properly escape or validate the input before rendering it in the browser context, creating an environment where persistent XSS attacks can occur. This vulnerability is classified under the ATT&CK technique T1059.005 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, specifically targeting web application interfaces through scripting injection methods. The flaw essentially allows attackers to bypass the normal security boundaries of the web application and execute arbitrary code within the user's browser session, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites.
The operational impact of CVE-2010-1606 extends beyond simple script injection, creating potential for significant data compromise and service disruption within the affected job portal environment. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to steal user sessions, capture sensitive information entered by job seekers, or redirect users to phishing sites that mimic the legitimate portal interface. The persistent nature of XSS vulnerabilities means that once exploited, malicious scripts can continue to affect users until the vulnerability is patched and the malicious content is removed from the application's database. This creates a particularly dangerous scenario for recruitment platforms where users may be entering personal information, resumes, or contact details that could be intercepted. The vulnerability affects not only individual users but also the integrity of the entire job listing platform, potentially undermining user trust and the platform's reputation. Organizations relying on such systems face increased risk of data breaches, regulatory compliance violations, and potential legal consequences due to inadequate security controls. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that job seekers and employers both interact with these fields, meaning that any compromise affects the entire user community and could result in widespread credential theft or identity compromise.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-1606 require comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application. The primary defense involves implementing strict sanitization of all user inputs before processing or storing them in the database, with particular attention to the identified vulnerable fields including search parameters, keywords, tags, and city filters. Organizations should deploy proper HTML encoding techniques to ensure that any user-provided content is rendered safely in web pages without executing as scripts. This includes implementing Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to prevent unauthorized script execution and establishing robust input validation routines that reject or sanitize potentially malicious content. The remediation process must include thorough code review to identify all input vectors and ensure proper validation across the entire application interface. Additionally, regular security testing including automated scanning and manual penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring systems to detect and prevent exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of following secure coding practices as outlined in OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity guidelines, emphasizing that proper input validation and output encoding are fundamental security controls that should be implemented at every layer of web application development. Regular patch management and security updates are essential to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities, while user education about recognizing potentially malicious content can provide additional defense layers.