CVE-2004-1716 in PForum
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in PForum before 1.26 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) IRC Server or (2) AIM ID fields in the user profile.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/21/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-1716 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw in the PForum software version 1.25 and earlier. This security weakness resides in the user profile management functionality where input validation is insufficiently implemented for specific fields. The vulnerability specifically affects two user profile fields: the IRC Server field and the AIM ID field, both of which are susceptible to malicious input injection attempts by remote attackers. The flaw enables attackers to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of other users' browsers, creating a significant security risk for the forum's community. This type of vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-79 which defines "Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation" as the underlying weakness that enables XSS attacks. The vulnerability demonstrates a critical failure in input sanitization and output encoding practices that are fundamental to web application security.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts malicious input containing script code and submits it through either the IRC Server or AIM ID profile fields. When other users view the affected profile page, their browsers execute the injected malicious code, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious websites. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it leverages legitimate user profile update functionality, making it difficult to distinguish between benign and malicious inputs. The vulnerability impacts the integrity and confidentiality of user data within the forum environment, as successful exploitation can allow attackers to access sensitive information or manipulate user sessions. This type of attack aligns with the attack technique described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1059.001 which covers "Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell" and T1566.001 which covers "Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment" though the specific technique here is more directly related to web-based input injection.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can compromise the entire user trust model within the forum platform. Users may unknowingly execute malicious code when viewing profiles, leading to potential data breaches, account takeovers, or the spread of malware throughout the user base. The vulnerability's persistence is particularly dangerous as the malicious code remains embedded in the profile fields until manually removed or the software is updated. Organizations using PForum version 1.25 or earlier face significant risks including potential legal liability from compromised user data, reputational damage, and increased security monitoring costs. The vulnerability also creates opportunities for attackers to establish persistent access points within the forum environment, potentially enabling more sophisticated attacks. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability represents a fundamental flaw in the application's security architecture, highlighting the critical importance of implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms. The flaw demonstrates how seemingly innocuous profile fields can become attack vectors when proper security controls are not implemented.
The recommended mitigation strategy involves immediate application of the vendor-supplied patch or upgrade to PForum version 1.26 or later, which addresses the input validation deficiencies in the affected fields. Organizations should implement comprehensive input sanitization measures that filter or escape special characters in user profile fields before storing or displaying them. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers and proper output encoding techniques can provide additional defense-in-depth measures against similar vulnerabilities. Regular security assessments and input validation testing should be conducted to identify potential injection points within the application. Additionally, user education regarding suspicious profile content and the importance of verifying profile information can help reduce the impact of successful exploitation attempts. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual profile update patterns that may indicate attempted exploitation. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of implementing secure coding practices, particularly around user input handling, as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten security risks and the Secure Coding guidelines established by various industry standards organizations.