CVE-2005-4333 in Binary Board System
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in Binary Board System (BBS) 0.2.5 and earlier allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) inreplyto, (2) article, and (3) board parameters to reply.pl, (4) branch, (5) board, and (6) stats.pl parameters to (b) stats.pl, and (7) board parameter to (c) toc.pl.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/29/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-4333 represents a critical cross-site scripting weakness affecting Binary Board System version 0.2.5 and earlier implementations. This flaw exists within the web-based bulletin board system's parameter handling mechanisms, specifically targeting several key scripts including reply.pl, stats.pl, and toc.pl. The vulnerability operates by failing to properly sanitize user input before processing and displaying it within web pages, creating an avenue for malicious actors to execute arbitrary code in the context of other users' browsers. The affected parameters span multiple script interfaces, demonstrating a systemic issue in input validation rather than isolated code flaws.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of HTTP request parameters that are directly incorporated into web page output without adequate sanitization. Attackers can craft malicious payloads targeting the inreplyto, article, and board parameters in reply.pl, while also exploiting branch, board, and stats.pl parameters in the stats.pl script, and specifically the board parameter in toc.pl. These parameters are processed by the vulnerable BBS system and subsequently rendered in web responses without proper HTML encoding or validation, allowing attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code or HTML content. The vulnerability classifies under CWE-79 as a failure to sanitize input, which is a fundamental weakness in web application security that enables XSS attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as it provides attackers with the capability to execute persistent malicious code within victim browsers. Successful exploitation could enable attackers to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, modify page content, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. The vulnerability affects all users interacting with the vulnerable BBS system, making it particularly dangerous in community or forum environments where multiple users regularly post content. The persistence of this vulnerability across multiple scripts within the same application suggests a design flaw in the input handling architecture rather than isolated coding errors, amplifying the potential impact of any single exploitation attempt.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding across all user-facing parameters. The most effective immediate solutions involve sanitizing all input parameters through proper HTML encoding before rendering content, implementing Content Security Policy headers, and ensuring that all dynamic content is properly escaped. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious input patterns, while establishing regular security audits of legacy systems. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following secure coding practices as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and other industry standards, emphasizing that input validation must be performed at multiple layers within web applications to prevent such widespread XSS vulnerabilities. Regular updates and patches to the BBS system should be prioritized, with immediate attention given to upgrading to versions that address these specific input handling flaws.