CVE-2005-0650 in ProjectBB
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in ProjectBB 0.4.5.1 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via (1) the pages parameter to divers.php (incorrectly referred to as "drivers.php" by some sources), (2) in the search feature text area, (3) forum name, (4) site name or (5) the maximum avatar size in the option section, (5) new category or (6) new forum fields in the forum section.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/30/2025
The CVE-2005-0650 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting ProjectBB version 0.4.5.1, a web-based bulletin board system that was widely used for online community forums. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the application's codebase, creating multiple attack vectors that collectively expose the system to malicious script injection. The vulnerability specifically targets the application's handling of user-supplied data across several key functional areas of the forum software, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited through various interaction points within the platform.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when user input is directly incorporated into web page responses without proper sanitization or encoding. The attack vectors identified in this vulnerability encompass multiple components of the ProjectBB application including the divers.php script which processes the pages parameter, the search functionality text areas, forum name fields, site name configurations, avatar size settings, and new category or forum creation forms. Each of these locations fails to properly validate or escape user-provided content, allowing attackers to inject malicious javascript code that executes in the context of other users' browsers. This flaw directly maps to CWE-79, which defines Cross-Site Scripting vulnerabilities as the improper handling of untrusted data in web applications, specifically when user input is reflected back to users without adequate sanitization.
The operational impact of CVE-2005-0650 extends far beyond simple data theft or defacement, as it enables attackers to execute arbitrary code within users' browsers and potentially escalate privileges within the forum environment. Successful exploitation allows threat actors to hijack user sessions, steal cookies, redirect victims to malicious sites, or perform actions on behalf of legitimate users. The vulnerability's widespread nature across multiple input points increases the attack surface significantly, making it easier for attackers to find a successful exploitation path. Additionally, the fact that this vulnerability affects core forum functionality means that even basic user interactions such as searching, creating categories, or configuring site settings can serve as entry points for malicious activity.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-0650 should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application. The most effective approach involves sanitizing all user-provided data before it is processed or displayed, utilizing proper HTML escaping techniques, and implementing Content Security Policy headers to prevent unauthorized script execution. Organizations should also consider implementing proper parameter validation, using whitelisting approaches for acceptable input formats, and conducting regular security code reviews to identify similar vulnerabilities. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059.007 for Scripting, specifically targeting the execution of malicious scripts in web browsers, while the remediation efforts align with defensive techniques such as T1566.002 for Phishing and T1590.001 for Reconnaissance techniques that may be employed to discover such vulnerabilities in web applications. Given the age of this vulnerability and the specific version affected, upgrading to a patched version of ProjectBB or migrating to a more modern forum solution represents the most reliable long-term security measure.