CVE-2005-4297 in bbBoard
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in bbBoard 2.56 and earlier allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified search parameters, possibly via the "keys" parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/15/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-4297 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw affecting bbBoard version 2.56 and earlier implementations. This security weakness resides in the application's handling of search parameters, specifically exposing the "keys" parameter to malicious input injection. The vulnerability classification aligns with CWE-79 which defines cross-site scripting as a critical web application security issue where unvalidated input is directly embedded into web pages without proper sanitization or encoding. The flaw enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of other users' browsers, potentially compromising the integrity of the web application and user data.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts malicious input containing script code and submits it through the search functionality of the bbBoard application. The application fails to properly validate or sanitize the "keys" parameter, allowing the injected malicious code to be stored and subsequently executed when other users view the search results page. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of reflected XSS as described in the ATT&CK framework under technique T1059.001, where adversaries inject malicious code that executes in the victim's browser context. The vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental lack of input validation and output encoding controls within the web application's search processing pipeline.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, potentially enabling attackers to perform session hijacking, steal sensitive user information, manipulate data within the application, or redirect users to malicious websites. When exploited, the vulnerability could allow unauthorized access to user accounts, compromise the confidentiality and integrity of forum communications, and potentially serve as a stepping stone for further attacks within the network. The vulnerability affects the application's core functionality by undermining user trust in the platform's security and potentially leading to data breaches or unauthorized modifications to forum content.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-4297 should focus on implementing robust input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application's search functionality. Organizations should immediately upgrade to bbBoard versions that address this vulnerability, as the original affected versions are no longer supported. The remediation process involves sanitizing all user-supplied input, particularly search parameters, by implementing proper HTML encoding before rendering any content in web pages. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy headers and using secure coding practices that prevent direct injection of user input into dynamic web content can effectively prevent exploitation of similar vulnerabilities. Security teams should also consider deploying web application firewalls and regular security scanning to detect and prevent such injection attacks in production environments.