CVE-2005-3770 in PHP-Post
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in PHP-Post (PHPp) 1.0 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via (1) the subject in a post, or the user parameter to (2) profile.php and (3) mail.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/21/2025
The CVE-2005-3770 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in PHP-Post version 1.0, a web-based bulletin board system that was widely used for online discussions and community interactions. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the application's core components, specifically affecting three distinct entry points that handle user-submitted data. The flaw exists in the application's handling of user input across multiple scripts, creating multiple attack vectors that can be exploited by malicious actors to inject malicious code into web pages viewed by other users.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the PHP-Post application fails to properly sanitize or escape user-supplied data before rendering it in web pages. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious input containing script tags or other HTML elements in the subject field of posts or in the user parameter fields of profile.php and mail.php scripts. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it affects core functionality components of the bulletin board system, where users naturally submit content and personal information. When the vulnerable application processes these inputs without proper validation, the injected scripts execute in the context of other users' browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites.
The operational impact of CVE-2005-3770 extends beyond simple data corruption or display issues, as it fundamentally compromises the security and integrity of the entire bulletin board system. Users who view infected posts or profiles become unwitting participants in the attack, with their browsers executing malicious code that can steal cookies, modify page content, or redirect them to phishing sites. This vulnerability particularly affects community platforms where user-generated content is central to the application's functionality, making it a significant concern for organizations relying on such systems for communication and collaboration. The attack surface is amplified because the vulnerability affects multiple scripts within the application, increasing the likelihood that an attacker can successfully exploit it through various vectors.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in the context of CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in software applications. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566, which covers social engineering through malicious content delivery, as attackers can use these XSS flaws to deliver malicious payloads to unsuspecting users. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation mechanisms, including HTML entity encoding and proper output sanitization, to prevent the execution of malicious scripts. The recommended mitigations include upgrading to patched versions of PHP-Post, implementing Content Security Policies, and conducting regular security assessments of web applications. Additionally, developers should adopt secure coding practices that enforce strict input validation and output encoding, particularly for applications handling user-generated content. This vulnerability underscores the critical importance of proper input sanitization in web applications and serves as a reminder of the persistent threat that XSS vulnerabilities pose to online communities and collaborative platforms.