CVE-2002-2230 in Ikonboard
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Ikonboard 3.1.1 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via a private message with a javascript: URL in the IMG tag, in which the URL ends in a ".gif" or ".jpg" string, a variant of CVE-2002-0328.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/11/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-2230 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw discovered in Ikonboard version 3.1.1, a web-based discussion forum software that was widely used in the early 2000s. This vulnerability specifically targets the software's handling of private message content, creating a dangerous vector for remote attackers to execute malicious code against unsuspecting users. The flaw operates by exploiting the application's insufficient input validation mechanisms when processing image tags within private messages, allowing attackers to embed malicious javascript code that gets executed in the context of other users' browsers. This particular variant demonstrates the evolving sophistication of XSS attacks that leverage seemingly benign image file extensions to bypass security filters, making it particularly dangerous for web applications that do not properly sanitize user-generated content.
The technical exploitation mechanism of this vulnerability involves crafting a private message containing an img tag with a javascript: URL that terminates with a .gif or .jpg file extension. This technique represents a classic example of URL-based XSS exploitation where attackers manipulate the browser's interpretation of file types to execute malicious code. The vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly validate and sanitize the src attribute of image tags within private messages, allowing the javascript protocol to be interpreted as a valid image source. This bypasses typical security measures that might filter out javascript: URLs while appearing to respect standard image file extensions. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79 as a failure to sanitize user input, specifically in the context of HTML content processing, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 for exploitation of web application vulnerabilities through malicious input.
The operational impact of CVE-2002-2230 extends beyond simple data theft or session hijacking, as the malicious code executed through this vulnerability can perform a wide range of harmful actions against victims' browsers. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious websites, inject additional malicious content, or even perform actions on behalf of the victim within the forum application. The persistent nature of forum environments means that once exploited, the vulnerability can affect multiple users over extended periods, potentially compromising numerous user accounts and their associated privileges within the Ikonboard system. The vulnerability's similarity to CVE-2002-0328 indicates a pattern of flawed input validation within the Ikonboard application, suggesting that other areas of the software may be susceptible to similar attacks. This type of vulnerability represents a fundamental flaw in web application security architecture, where user input is not properly sanitized before being rendered in web pages, creating a persistent security risk for all users of the affected software.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the Ikonboard application. System administrators should prioritize updating to patched versions of Ikonboard or implementing proper content sanitization filters that strip or encode javascript: URLs regardless of file extension. The solution involves implementing strict validation of image source attributes to ensure that only legitimate image URLs are accepted, while also encoding or removing javascript protocols from any user-generated content before rendering. Organizations should also implement proper web application firewalls and input validation rules that specifically target URL-based XSS patterns, including monitoring for javascript: protocol usage in image sources. Additionally, user education regarding the dangers of clicking on suspicious private messages and implementing proper security headers such as Content Security Policy can significantly reduce the impact of such vulnerabilities. The vulnerability serves as a critical reminder of the importance of proper input validation in web applications and the necessity of following secure coding practices that prevent user input from being directly rendered as executable code.