CVE-2005-0784 in Phorum
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in Phorum before 5.0.15 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via (1) the subject line to follow.php or (2) the subject line in the user s personal control panel.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/22/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-0784 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting Phorum versions prior to 5.0.15. This vulnerability resides in the web application's handling of user input within subject line parameters, specifically when processing messages through the follow.php script and within user personal control panels. The flaw enables remote attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of other users' browsers, potentially compromising user sessions and accessing sensitive data. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting vulnerabilities, where web applications fail to properly validate or escape user-supplied data before rendering it in web pages.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when attackers craft malicious input containing script code within the subject line fields of Phorum messages. When other users view these messages, the injected scripts execute in their browsers, potentially stealing session cookies, redirecting users to malicious sites, or performing actions on behalf of the victim. The vulnerability affects two distinct entry points within the application's message handling system, demonstrating a systemic flaw in input validation and output sanitization. Attackers can leverage this weakness to perform session hijacking, defacement of user profiles, or to establish persistent malicious presence within the application's user base.
The operational impact of CVE-2005-0784 extends beyond simple data theft, as it enables attackers to compromise user trust and potentially escalate privileges within the application. Users who view compromised messages become unwitting participants in the attack, creating a propagation mechanism that can spread malicious code throughout the user community. The vulnerability particularly affects collaborative environments where users frequently read and respond to messages, as each interaction with a compromised subject line presents an opportunity for exploitation. This flaw significantly undermines the security posture of Phorum installations and creates potential for widespread compromise across user networks.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of input validation and output encoding measures. System administrators should upgrade to Phorum version 5.0.15 or later, which includes proper sanitization of subject line inputs. Additionally, implementing proper content security policies and input validation at multiple layers of the application can prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in the future. The remediation process should include thorough code review focusing on all user input handling mechanisms, particularly those involving message subject lines and other user-generated content. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and regular security testing to detect and prevent similar cross-site scripting vulnerabilities in their web applications. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 which covers social engineering through malicious content delivery, emphasizing the importance of proper input sanitization in preventing such attacks.