CVE-2006-3303 in DeluxeBB
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in pm.php in DeluxeBB 1.07 and earlier allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) subject or (2) to parameters.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/30/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-3303 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw discovered in DeluxeBB version 1.07 and earlier, affecting the pm.php script within the forum software ecosystem. This vulnerability resides in the message handling functionality of the bulletin board system, specifically targeting the subject and to parameters that are processed during private message creation and display operations. The flaw allows remote attackers to inject malicious web scripts or HTML content that executes in the context of other users' browsers when they view the affected messages, creating a persistent security risk for the entire community.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output sanitization within the pm.php script. When users submit private messages with subject or to parameters containing malicious script code, the application fails to properly escape or filter these inputs before rendering them in the web page context. This allows attackers to craft specially formatted messages that, when viewed by other users, execute arbitrary JavaScript code or embed malicious HTML content in the victim's browser session. The vulnerability manifests as a classic reflected XSS attack vector where the malicious payload is stored and subsequently executed during normal message display operations, making it particularly dangerous for widespread exploitation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, creating significant risks for user data integrity and system security. Attackers can exploit this flaw to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious websites, deface forum content, or perform actions on behalf of other users with the same privileges. The persistence of the attack vector means that once a malicious message is posted, it affects all users who view that message, potentially compromising multiple user accounts and undermining the trust in the forum's security. This vulnerability directly violates the principle of least privilege and can be leveraged to escalate privileges or access sensitive information within the forum environment.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2006-3303 should focus on implementing robust input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application. The most effective immediate solution involves sanitizing all user inputs, particularly those used in dynamic content generation, by applying proper HTML entity encoding before rendering any user-supplied data. The implementation should follow established security practices such as those outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting vulnerabilities. Organizations should also implement Content Security Policy headers to prevent unauthorized script execution and ensure that all user inputs undergo proper validation before being processed by the application. Additionally, upgrading to a patched version of DeluxeBB or migrating to a more secure forum platform represents the most comprehensive long-term solution to eliminate this vulnerability and prevent similar issues in the future. This vulnerability exemplifies the importance of input sanitization and proper output encoding in preventing XSS attacks, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1203 for exploiting web applications and demonstrating the critical need for secure coding practices in web development environments.