CVE-2004-2288 in vBulletin
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in index.php in Jelsoft vBulletin allows remote attackers to spoof parts of a website via the loc parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/16/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-2288 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the Jelsoft vBulletin forum software, specifically affecting the index.php script. This issue resides in the handling of user-supplied input through the loc parameter, which when improperly processed creates an avenue for malicious actors to inject client-side scripts into web pages viewed by other users. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding practices within the application's core components, allowing attackers to manipulate the software's behavior through crafted URL parameters that bypass security controls designed to prevent such attacks.
This cross-site scripting vulnerability operates under CWE-79 which categorizes improper neutralization of input during web page generation as a primary weakness. The flaw enables remote attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of other users' browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or unauthorized actions performed on behalf of victims. The loc parameter serves as the attack vector where malicious input can be injected and subsequently executed when other users navigate to affected pages, making this a persistent threat that affects the entire user base of vulnerable installations. The vulnerability's classification aligns with ATT&CK technique T1531 which describes the use of cross-site scripting to gain access to user sessions and execute arbitrary commands.
The operational impact of CVE-2004-2288 extends beyond simple script injection, as it fundamentally compromises the integrity and security of the entire vBulletin platform. When exploited, attackers can manipulate website content to appear legitimate while executing malicious code, potentially redirecting users to phishing sites or stealing sensitive information from authenticated sessions. The vulnerability affects not only individual user experiences but also the overall trustworthiness of the website, as users may be deceived into believing they are interacting with legitimate content while their browsers execute attacker-controlled scripts. The widespread use of vBulletin forums at the time of this vulnerability meant that numerous websites were potentially at risk, amplifying the potential impact across multiple organizations and user bases.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application. Organizations should implement strict parameter validation for the loc parameter and other user-supplied inputs to prevent malicious code injection. The solution involves applying proper HTML entity encoding to all dynamic content before rendering, ensuring that any potentially harmful characters are neutralized before display. Additionally, implementing a content security policy that restricts script execution and employs proper sanitization techniques for all user inputs would significantly reduce the attack surface. Security patches should be applied immediately to upgrade to versions that address the XSS vulnerability, while also implementing web application firewalls and monitoring systems to detect and prevent exploitation attempts. Regular security audits and input validation testing should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other application components, as this vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure coding practices in preventing widespread exploitation across web applications.