CVE-2002-1679 in vBulletin
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Jelsoft vBulletin 2.2.0 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary script as other users by injecting script into a bulletin board message.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/09/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-1679 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Jelsoft vBulletin 2.2.0 bulletin board system that fundamentally compromises user security and application integrity. This vulnerability exists due to insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the message handling functionality of the software, creating an exploitable condition where malicious actors can inject malicious scripts into forum posts that will execute in the contexts of other users who view these compromised messages.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the injection of malicious scripts into bulletin board messages, which are then rendered to unsuspecting users who browse the affected forum. The flaw specifically manifests in the processing of user-generated content where the application fails to properly sanitize or encode input data before displaying it in web pages. This allows attackers to embed javascript code or other malicious payloads within message content that executes in the browser context of other users, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or other malicious activities. The vulnerability is classified as a classic reflected XSS attack vector since the malicious code is executed directly from the user input without requiring server-side storage.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risks for forum administrators and users alike, as it enables attackers to manipulate the entire user experience and potentially compromise user accounts. The attack requires minimal technical expertise to execute successfully, making it particularly dangerous for widely used bulletin board systems. Users who view compromised messages may unknowingly have their browser sessions hijacked, their credentials stolen, or their browsers redirected to malicious sites. The vulnerability affects the core functionality of the bulletin board system by undermining user trust and potentially allowing attackers to gain unauthorized access to user accounts through session manipulation or credential harvesting techniques.
The security implications of this vulnerability extend beyond simple script execution to encompass broader application security concerns including user privacy, data integrity, and system availability. The flaw represents a failure in the application's defense-in-depth strategy, specifically violating security principles related to input validation and output encoding. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which describes improper neutralization of input during web page generation, and relates to ATT&CK technique T1531 which covers "Modify System Image" through web-based attacks. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it can be executed through normal forum usage patterns, making detection difficult and potentially allowing attackers to maintain persistent access to compromised systems.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate implementation of proper input sanitization and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application's message handling processes. The most effective remediation involves implementing comprehensive HTML entity encoding for all user-generated content before display, combined with strict input validation that filters or rejects potentially malicious content. Additionally, implementing content security policies and using modern web application firewalls can provide additional layers of protection against similar attacks. Administrators should also consider implementing rate limiting and monitoring for suspicious posting patterns that may indicate automated exploitation attempts. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the application stack. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of secure coding practices and input validation in web applications, emphasizing that all user-provided data must be treated as potentially malicious and properly sanitized before processing or display.