CVE-2003-0375 in XMB
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in member.php of XMBforum XMB 1.8.x (aka Partagium) allows remote attackers to insert arbitrary HTML and web script via the "member" parameter.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/21/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2003-0375 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the XMBforum XMB 1.8.x software, specifically affecting the member.php script. This issue arises from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly filter user-supplied data before rendering it within web pages. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-79 as a failure to sanitize user input, making it susceptible to malicious script injection attacks. The affected software, commonly known as Partagium, was widely used for bulletin board systems and community forums during the early 2000s, establishing it as a significant security concern for organizations relying on legacy forum platforms.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through manipulation of the "member" parameter within the member.php script, which processes user requests without adequate validation of input content. When a malicious user submits crafted HTML or JavaScript code through this parameter, the application fails to sanitize or escape the input before displaying it to other users. This allows attackers to inject malicious scripts that execute in the context of other users' browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or unauthorized actions performed on behalf of victims. The vulnerability specifically targets the web application's failure to implement proper output encoding mechanisms, which is a fundamental security principle in preventing XSS attacks according to the OWASP Top Ten project.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it provides attackers with the capability to compromise user sessions and potentially gain unauthorized access to forum accounts. When users view pages containing malicious content injected through the vulnerable parameter, their browsers execute the embedded scripts, which could redirect them to phishing sites, steal authentication cookies, or perform actions within the forum's context. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it requires minimal user interaction beyond viewing a forum page, making it a persistent threat that could affect all forum members. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1531 which describes the use of cross-site scripting to gain access to user sessions and credentials.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2003-0375 must focus on implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application. Organizations should immediately apply the vendor-provided security patches or upgrade to newer versions of the forum software that address this vulnerability. The recommended approach includes implementing strict input sanitization that removes or encodes potentially dangerous characters such as angle brackets, script tags, and other HTML elements before processing user input. Additionally, developers should implement Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution and prevent unauthorized code injection. The solution should also incorporate proper output encoding techniques, particularly when displaying user-generated content, to ensure that any potentially malicious input is rendered harmless. Given the age of this vulnerability, organizations should consider migrating to modern forum platforms with established security track records and regular security updates to prevent similar issues from occurring in the future.