CVE-2003-1184 in ThWboard
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in ThWboard Beta 2.8 and 2.81 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via (1) time in board.php, (2) the profile Homepage-Feld, (3) pictures, and (4) other "Diverse XSS Bugs."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/15/2014
The vulnerability described in CVE-2003-1184 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting ThWboard Beta 2.8 and 2.81 web applications. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is one of the most prevalent and dangerous web application security issues. The flaw manifests across multiple input vectors within the application's user interface, creating a broad attack surface for malicious actors seeking to exploit client-side vulnerabilities.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the ThWboard application. Attackers can inject malicious scripts through four primary pathways: time parameters in board.php, profile Homepage fields, picture upload functionalities, and additional unspecified XSS vectors. These injection points demonstrate poor security design where user-supplied data flows directly into web page content without proper sanitization or encoding. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects core application functionality areas where users naturally provide input, making exploitation both feasible and potentially widespread.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it enables attackers to execute arbitrary code within the context of victim browsers. This capability allows for session hijacking, credential theft, data exfiltration, and redirection to malicious sites. The attack surface is amplified by the fact that the vulnerability affects multiple input points, increasing the probability of successful exploitation. Users who browse the affected board application could unknowingly execute malicious payloads that persistently compromise their browser sessions and potentially lead to full account takeovers. The vulnerability's presence in profile fields and image handling components makes it particularly dangerous as these are common user interaction points.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of robust input validation and output encoding measures. The application must sanitize all user-supplied data before processing or displaying it, implementing proper HTML escaping and context-appropriate encoding for different data types. Security headers such as Content Security Policy should be implemented to limit script execution capabilities. Regular security testing including dynamic application security testing and manual code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of secure coding practices and input validation, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1566 for initial access through malicious inputs. Organizations should ensure that all web applications undergo comprehensive security assessments to prevent similar cross-site scripting vulnerabilities from compromising user data and system integrity.