CVE-2006-1977 in FlexBB
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in FlexBB 0.5.7 BETA and earlier allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) name and (2) message parameters.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/25/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-1977 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within FlexBB version 0.5.7 BETA and earlier iterations. This security weakness resides in the forum software's handling of user input parameters, specifically affecting the name and message fields that users can populate when creating posts or participating in discussions. The flaw allows remote attackers to inject malicious web scripts or HTML code directly into the forum's interface, potentially compromising the security of all users interacting with the vulnerable platform.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output sanitization mechanisms within the FlexBB application. When users submit content containing the name and message parameters, the software fails to properly sanitize or escape special characters that could be interpreted as HTML or JavaScript code. This insufficient sanitization creates an opening for attackers to embed malicious scripts that execute in the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability operates under CWE-79 which categorizes improper neutralization of input during web page generation, making it a classic example of client-side code injection.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it enables attackers to perform various malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, data exfiltration, and redirection to phishing sites. When a victim browses to a page containing the malicious payload, their browser executes the injected code, potentially allowing attackers to steal cookies, modify page content, or perform actions on behalf of the user. This vulnerability particularly affects the forum's user base since it targets commonly used input fields that are integral to the platform's functionality, meaning that any user posting content could inadvertently expose others to the attack vector.
The exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 which covers the use of malicious HTML files in phishing campaigns. Attackers could craft posts with malicious payloads in the name or message fields, creating a persistent threat that affects all users who view the compromised content. The vulnerability also demonstrates the importance of implementing defense-in-depth strategies, as it highlights how a single input validation failure can compromise an entire user community. Organizations using vulnerable versions of FlexBB should immediately implement mitigations including input sanitization, output encoding, and content security policy enforcement to prevent exploitation of this weakness.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2006-1977 should focus on comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms. The most effective approach involves implementing strict sanitization of all user-provided data before it is stored or displayed, ensuring that special characters are properly escaped or removed from the name and message parameters. Additionally, organizations should deploy content security policies that prevent execution of unauthorized scripts and implement proper output encoding techniques to neutralize potential XSS vectors. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of secure coding practices and regular security updates in preventing widespread exploitation of such fundamental web application flaws.