CVE-2003-1547 in PHP-Nuke
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in block-Forums.php in the Splatt Forum module for PHP-Nuke 6.x allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the subject parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/17/2018
The vulnerability described in CVE-2003-1547 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the Splatt Forum module for PHP-Nuke version 6.x. This security weakness specifically manifests in the block-Forums.php component where user input is not properly sanitized before being rendered in web pages. The vulnerability occurs when the subject parameter is processed without adequate validation or encoding, creating an opportunity for malicious actors to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content into the forum interface. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it allows remote exploitation without requiring any authentication or privileged access to the system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-79 which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws in web applications. This weakness enables attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of other users' browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, data theft, or unauthorized actions performed on behalf of victims. The vulnerability is classified as a reflected XSS attack since the malicious payload is reflected back to users through the forum's subject parameter handling mechanism. The impact is amplified by the fact that PHP-Nuke 6.x was widely deployed in web environments where user-generated content was common, making the attack surface substantial.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to forum administrators and end users within the PHP-Nuke ecosystem. When exploited, the XSS attack could allow attackers to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious websites, or inject phishing content that appears legitimate within the forum interface. The attack requires minimal technical skill and can be automated, making it particularly dangerous for widespread exploitation. Users who browse the affected forum could unknowingly execute malicious code in their browsers, potentially compromising their accounts and personal data. The vulnerability is especially problematic in environments where users trust the forum content and may not be vigilant about suspicious web elements.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate input validation and output encoding within the block-Forums.php component. The recommended approach involves implementing proper sanitization of all user input parameters, particularly the subject field, before rendering them in HTML contexts. This includes encoding special characters such as angle brackets, quotes, and script tags to prevent their execution as HTML or JavaScript. Security patches should enforce strict validation of input length and character sets to prevent injection attacks. Organizations using PHP-Nuke 6.x should also consider implementing Content Security Policy headers to add an additional layer of protection against script injection. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of input validation and output encoding practices that align with OWASP Top Ten security guidelines and the ATT&CK framework's approach to preventing web-based injection attacks. Regular security audits and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the PHP-Nuke platform and ensure comprehensive protection against cross-site scripting threats.