CVE-2005-1171 in phpBB
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in mod.php in the datenbank module for phpBB allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the id parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/07/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-1171 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the datenbank module of phpBB version 1.0.5 and earlier. This security weakness resides in the mod.php script which processes user input through the id parameter, creating an exploitable condition that enables remote attackers to inject malicious web script or HTML content into the application's response. The datenbank module specifically handles database-related operations within phpBB, making it a critical component for forum functionality and user interaction.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output sanitization within the mod.php script. When users navigate to specific database-related pages through the datenbank module, the id parameter is directly incorporated into the page response without proper encoding or filtering of potentially malicious content. This allows attackers to craft URLs containing crafted script payloads that execute in the context of other users' browsers who visit the affected pages. The vulnerability manifests as a reflected XSS attack pattern where malicious input is immediately reflected back to users without any server-side processing or sanitization.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it enables attackers to perform various malicious activities within the context of authenticated users. An attacker could potentially steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious websites, deface forum content, or even escalate privileges within the forum environment. The attack vector requires minimal user interaction since the malicious script executes automatically when users browse to affected pages. This vulnerability particularly affects phpBB installations that utilize the datenbank module, creating a persistent security risk for forum administrators and users who may be exposed to malicious content without their knowledge.
The vulnerability maps directly to CWE-79 which defines Cross-site Scripting as a weakness where untrusted data is sent to a web browser without proper validation or encoding. This classification encompasses the fundamental flaw in the mod.php script's handling of user-provided id parameters. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with T1566.001 which describes the technique of "Phishing with Malicious Attachments" and T1584.001 which covers "Compromise of Web Applications." The attack chain involves initial access through web browsing, followed by malicious script execution in the victim's browser context, potentially leading to further compromise of user accounts or forum data.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected phpBB installations to version 1.0.6 or later where the XSS vulnerability has been addressed. Administrators should implement proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms to prevent malicious scripts from being executed within the application context. The recommended approach includes implementing Content Security Policy headers to restrict script execution, sanitizing all user input parameters, and ensuring that all dynamic content is properly escaped before being rendered in web pages. Additionally, regular security audits and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar input validation weaknesses in other application components, particularly within modules that handle database operations or user-provided parameters that are directly reflected in page output.