CVE-2005-2299 in Message Board
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in Simple Message Board Version 2.0 Beta 1 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) FID parameter to forum.cfm, (2) UID parameter to user.cfm, (3) TID parameter to thread.cfm, or (4) PostDate parameter to search.cfm.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/28/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-2299 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting Simple Message Board Version 2.0 Beta 1, a web-based discussion platform that was widely deployed in 2005. This vulnerability manifests through four distinct attack vectors that exploit the application's insufficient input validation mechanisms. The affected parameters include FID in forum.cfm, UID in user.cfm, TID in thread.cfm, and PostDate in search.cfm, all of which fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data before incorporating it into dynamic web content. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-79, which defines the weakness of Cross-Site Scripting in software applications, making it a classic example of insecure data handling in web interfaces.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when remote attackers submit malicious payloads through the specified parameters, bypassing the application's input sanitization controls. When the web application processes these parameters without proper encoding or validation, it inadvertently executes injected scripts within the context of other users' browsers. This allows attackers to perform session hijacking, deface the message board, steal sensitive information, or redirect users to malicious websites. The attack requires no special privileges and can be executed through standard web browser interactions, making it particularly dangerous for public-facing forums where user-generated content is common. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that it affects core navigation and search functionality, providing attackers with multiple entry points into the application's user interface.
The operational consequences of this vulnerability extend beyond simple data corruption, as it fundamentally compromises the security and integrity of the message board environment. Users interacting with the forum become potential victims of persistent XSS attacks, where malicious scripts can remain active even after the initial request is processed. This creates a persistent threat that can affect all users who access the affected pages, leading to potential data breaches, service disruption, and reputational damage for organizations hosting these forums. The vulnerability also enables attackers to leverage the forum's user base for phishing campaigns, credential theft, or as a platform for distributing malware. From a security posture perspective, this vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation and output encoding in web applications, particularly those handling user-generated content.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-2299 must address the root cause of insufficient input validation while maintaining application functionality. The primary remediation involves implementing comprehensive parameter validation and output encoding across all affected endpoints, ensuring that all user-supplied data is properly sanitized before being rendered in web pages. Organizations should deploy proper input filtering mechanisms that reject or escape potentially malicious content, particularly focusing on common XSS attack patterns including script tags, event handlers, and javascript protocols. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy headers and using secure coding practices for web application development can significantly reduce the attack surface. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of regular security assessments and code reviews, as this type of flaw typically emerges from inadequate security testing during the development lifecycle. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring for suspicious parameter patterns to detect potential exploitation attempts.