CVE-2006-0470 in MyBB
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in search.php in MyBulletinBoard (MyBB) 1.02 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) sortby and (2) sortordr parameters, which are not properly handled in a redirection.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/30/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-0470 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within MyBulletinBoard version 1.02, specifically affecting the search.php script. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is one of the most prevalent and dangerous web application security weaknesses. The flaw manifests when the application fails to properly sanitize user input parameters during redirection processes, creating an exploitable vector for malicious actors to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content into the application's response.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through two specific parameters within the search functionality: sortby and sortordr. These parameters control the sorting behavior of search results and are processed without adequate input validation or output encoding mechanisms. When attackers manipulate these parameters with malicious payloads, the application incorporates the injected content directly into the HTTP response without proper sanitization. This occurs during the redirection process where the application redirects users to a modified URL containing the malicious input, bypassing normal security controls that would typically prevent such injections.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it enables attackers to execute arbitrary code within the context of affected users' browsers. This capability allows threat actors to perform session hijacking, steal cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or deface the bulletin board interface. The vulnerability affects the entire user base of the affected MyBB installation, as any user who clicks on a maliciously crafted link or visits a compromised search result page becomes a potential victim. The attack requires no special privileges or authentication, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited through social engineering or by simply embedding malicious links in other web content.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application's processing pipeline. The most effective approach involves sanitizing all user-supplied input parameters before they are processed or included in any HTTP responses, particularly during redirection operations. Organizations should implement proper HTML entity encoding for all dynamic content and establish strict parameter validation rules that reject or sanitize any input containing potentially dangerous characters or sequences. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation in web applications and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which covers "Exploitation for Client Execution" through browser-based attacks. The remediation process should include updating to a patched version of MyBB, implementing proper web application firewall rules, and conducting comprehensive security testing to ensure all similar vulnerabilities are identified and addressed in the application's codebase.