CVE-2004-2063 in Antiboard
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in antiboard.php in AntiBoard 0.7.2 and earlier allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary HTML or web script via the feedback parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/06/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2004-2063 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw that existed in AntiBoard version 0.7.2 and earlier. This type of vulnerability falls under the broader category of web application security issues that have been consistently documented in industry standards including CWE-79 which specifically addresses Cross-site Scripting. The vulnerability manifests in the antiboard.php script where user input from the feedback parameter is not properly sanitized or validated before being rendered back to users. This allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary HTML or JavaScript code that executes in the context of other users' browsers, creating a persistent security risk.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to implement proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms. When users submit feedback through the antiboard.php interface, the system accepts the input without sanitizing it against potentially malicious content. This lack of input sanitization creates an environment where attackers can craft specially formatted payloads that contain HTML tags or JavaScript code. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and requires no special privileges to exploit, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged by anyone with access to the vulnerable web application.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or defacement. The XSS flaw enables attackers to perform session hijacking by stealing cookies, redirect users to malicious websites, or even modify content displayed to other users. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007 for script execution and T1531 for credential access through web application attacks. The risk is compounded by the fact that AntiBoard was a bulletin board system designed for user interaction, meaning that the feedback parameter was likely frequently accessed and could serve as an effective vector for widespread exploitation. The vulnerability essentially allows attackers to establish a persistent presence within the application's user base.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding practices. The most effective approach involves sanitizing all user inputs through proper encoding mechanisms such as HTML entity encoding before rendering any content back to users. Additionally, implementing a Content Security Policy (CSP) header can provide an additional layer of protection against script injection attacks. Organizations should also consider implementing proper input validation routines that reject or remove potentially dangerous characters and patterns from user submissions. This vulnerability highlights the critical importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to established security frameworks such as those outlined in OWASP Top Ten and the CWE guidelines for preventing XSS attacks in web applications. The remediation process should include thorough code review and the implementation of automated input validation mechanisms to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced in future versions of the software.