CVE-2002-1922 in vBulletin
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in global.php in Jelsoft vBulletin 2.0.0 through 2.2.8 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) $scriptpath or (2) $url variables.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/16/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-1922 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw discovered in the Jelsoft vBulletin forum software versions 2.0.0 through 2.2.8. This security weakness resides within the global.php script, which serves as a foundational component for the bulletin board system's operation. The vulnerability specifically affects two variable parameters namely $scriptpath and $url, which are processed without adequate input validation or output sanitization mechanisms. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious payloads that leverage these variables to inject arbitrary web script code or HTML content into the vulnerable application's responses. The flaw stems from the application's failure to properly escape or filter user-supplied data before incorporating it into dynamically generated web pages, creating an environment where malicious code can execute within the context of other users' browsers.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of HTTP request parameters that are subsequently processed by the global.php script. When the application encounters the malicious input within the $scriptpath or $url variables, it fails to implement proper sanitization measures that would prevent the execution of unauthorized script code. This allows attackers to inject JavaScript or HTML content that gets executed in the victim's browser when they view affected pages. The vulnerability is classified as a reflected cross-site scripting issue since the malicious payload is reflected back to users through the application's response. According to CWE standards, this corresponds to CWE-79 which specifically addresses improper neutralization of input during web page generation, making it a well-documented and widely recognized web application security weakness. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple script injection as it can be leveraged to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users.
The operational impact of CVE-2002-1922 is significant for organizations using affected vBulletin versions, as it creates a persistent security risk that can compromise user data and system integrity. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability to establish persistent malicious presence within the forum environment, potentially leading to account takeovers, data exfiltration, or the distribution of malware to other forum users. The vulnerability affects the core functionality of the bulletin board system, as it undermines the trust model that users expect when accessing forums. From an attacker's perspective, this vulnerability provides a straightforward path to executing malicious code within the context of legitimate user sessions, making it particularly dangerous for communities that rely on user-generated content and authentication. The issue also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 which describes the use of web shells and malicious code injection to establish persistent access to target systems. Organizations using these vulnerable versions face potential reputational damage, legal liability, and operational disruption when users' sessions are compromised through this vulnerability.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2002-1922 require immediate implementation of input validation and output encoding measures within the affected Jelsoft vBulletin installations. System administrators should implement proper parameter sanitization for all user-supplied inputs, particularly those that are directly incorporated into web page content. The recommended approach involves applying the latest security patches released by Jelsoft, which typically include proper input validation and output encoding for the affected variables. Additionally, implementing a web application firewall that can detect and block malicious script injection attempts provides an additional layer of protection. Organizations should also consider implementing content security policies that restrict script execution within the forum environment. The vulnerability highlights the importance of regular security assessments and patch management processes, as the affected versions of vBulletin have been superseded by more secure iterations that properly address these input validation weaknesses. Security teams should also monitor for exploitation attempts through log analysis and implement proper access controls to limit the potential damage from successful attacks. The remediation process should include thorough testing of patched versions to ensure that the security fixes do not introduce regressions in application functionality while effectively addressing the cross-site scripting vulnerability.