CVE-2005-1116 in phpBB
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Calendar module for phpBB allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the start parameter to calendar_scheduler.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/10/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-1116 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the Calendar module of phpBB version 2.0.11 and earlier. This security weakness resides in the calendar_scheduler.php script which fails to properly sanitize user input before processing it within the web application's response. The specific parameter affected is the 'start' parameter that is passed to the calendar_scheduler.php endpoint, creating an avenue for malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of other users' browsers.
This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is classified as a critical security flaw in web applications. The flaw occurs because the application does not implement proper input validation or output encoding mechanisms when handling the start parameter from user submissions. When a victim visits a page that contains malicious script embedded within the start parameter, the script executes in their browser session, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious websites. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it allows remote code execution without requiring any authentication or privileged access to the phpBB installation itself.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can be exploited to create persistent malicious content within the calendar module that affects all users interacting with the calendar functionality. Attackers can craft malicious URLs containing script tags that, when clicked by unsuspecting users, execute in their browser context. This creates a significant risk for organizations relying on phpBB for community forums, as the vulnerability can be leveraged to spread malware, steal user sessions, or perform phishing attacks against other forum participants. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in environments where users trust the forum content and may not be cautious about clicking links or visiting pages containing compromised calendar entries.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate patching of the phpBB installation to version 2.0.12 or later, which contains the necessary input sanitization fixes. Organizations should also implement proper input validation at multiple layers including client-side and server-side filtering to prevent malicious content from being processed. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide additional protection against script execution, while regular security audits of web applications should include thorough testing of all user input parameters for XSS vulnerabilities. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation and output encoding practices as recommended by the OWASP Top Ten and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and script injection, highlighting the need for comprehensive web application security controls and regular vulnerability assessments to prevent exploitation of similar flaws in web frameworks and content management systems.