CVE-2005-1285 in Burning Board
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in thread.php in WoltLab Burning Board 2.3.1 and earlier allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the hilight parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/23/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-1285 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the WoltLab Burning Board forum software version 2.3.1 and earlier. This type of vulnerability falls under the broader category of CWE-79 - Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, which specifically addresses the failure to properly sanitize user input before incorporating it into web page content. The issue manifests in the thread.php script where the hilight parameter is processed without adequate input validation or output encoding, creating an exploitable condition that allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious URL containing specially formatted input in the hilight parameter that gets directly rendered in the web page without proper sanitization. This allows the attacker to execute arbitrary JavaScript code within the context of other users' browsers who view the affected page. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it enables attackers to perform actions such as stealing session cookies, defacing forum pages, redirecting users to malicious sites, or even executing more sophisticated attacks like credential theft through session hijacking. The attack vector is entirely remote, requiring no privileged access or authentication to exploit the flaw.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as it creates a persistent threat vector that can compromise the entire forum ecosystem. When users browse threads that contain malicious hilight parameters, their browsers execute the injected scripts, potentially leading to widespread session compromise across the user base. The vulnerability affects the core functionality of the forum software, making it particularly dangerous for communities that rely heavily on user-generated content and discussion threads. This type of flaw directly impacts the availability and integrity of the platform, as malicious actors can continuously exploit it to disrupt normal forum operations and compromise user trust in the system.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate patching of the WoltLab Burning Board software to version 2.3.2 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the XSS vulnerability. Additionally, administrators should implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application to prevent similar issues from occurring in the future. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers and proper sanitization of all user inputs before rendering them in web pages provides defense-in-depth measures that align with security best practices. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and regular security assessments to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in their web applications. This vulnerability exemplifies the importance of following secure coding practices and adheres to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter - JavaScript, demonstrating how XSS vulnerabilities can be leveraged to execute malicious code through web interfaces.