CVE-2006-4079 in DeluxeBB
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in newpost.php in DeluxeBB 1.08, and possibly earlier, allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the subject parameter (aka the topic title field).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/02/2018
The CVE-2006-4079 vulnerability represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw that affected DeluxeBB version 1.08 and potentially earlier releases. This vulnerability resides within the newpost.php script which handles the creation of new forum posts, specifically targeting the subject or topic title field. The flaw enables remote attackers to inject malicious web scripts or HTML content directly into the forum interface through crafted input in the subject parameter. Such vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous in web applications where user-generated content is displayed without proper sanitization, as they can be exploited to compromise user sessions or deliver malicious payloads to other forum visitors.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws in web applications. This classification indicates that the application fails to properly validate or sanitize user input before rendering it in the web page context. The vulnerability occurs because the DeluxeBB forum software does not adequately escape or filter special characters in the subject field, allowing attackers to inject script tags or other HTML elements that execute in the context of other users' browsers. The attack vector is straightforward as it requires only that an attacker submit malicious content through the normal forum posting interface, making it particularly insidious since it leverages legitimate application functionality.
The operational impact of CVE-2006-4079 extends beyond simple data theft or display manipulation. When exploited, this vulnerability can enable attackers to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or inject phishing content that appears legitimate to forum users. The vulnerability affects the core functionality of the forum by compromising user trust and potentially leading to widespread distribution of malicious content throughout the community. Given that forums are often visited by multiple users who may not be security-aware, the potential for mass exploitation increases significantly. The vulnerability also represents a failure in the application's input validation and output encoding mechanisms, which are fundamental security controls that should prevent such issues.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper input sanitization and output encoding practices. The most effective approach involves escaping special characters in user input before rendering it in HTML contexts, particularly using context-appropriate encoding such as HTML entity encoding for web page content. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy headers can provide an additional layer of protection against script execution. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of regular security audits and input validation testing, as recommended by the ATT&CK framework's defensive techniques for preventing code injection attacks. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and regular security updates to protect against known vulnerabilities. The fix typically requires modifying the newpost.php script to properly sanitize the subject parameter before storing or displaying it, ensuring that any potentially malicious input is neutralized before it can be executed by other users' browsers.