CVE-2006-4972 in MyBB
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in archive/index.php/forum-4.html in MyBB (aka MyBulletinBoard) allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the navbits[][name] parameter.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/30/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-4972 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the MyBB bulletin board system, specifically affecting the archive/index.php component. This weakness resides in the forum-4.html file where the application fails to properly sanitize user input before rendering it within the web page context. The vulnerability manifests through the navbits[][name] parameter which serves as an injection vector for malicious scripts or HTML content.
This XSS vulnerability operates under the Common Weakness Enumeration classification of CWE-79, which specifically addresses "Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting')". The flaw enables attackers to execute arbitrary web scripts in the context of other users' browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious websites. The attack occurs when the application incorporates unsanitized user-provided data directly into dynamically generated web content without proper output encoding or validation mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution as it compromises the integrity of the entire bulletin board system. An attacker could inject malicious payloads that persist in the application's archive functionality, affecting all users who access the affected pages. This creates a persistent threat vector where compromised users may unknowingly execute malicious code when navigating to forum archives, potentially leading to widespread compromise of user sessions and data breaches.
The attack surface is particularly concerning given that MyBB was widely used for community forums and discussion platforms, making it an attractive target for malicious actors seeking to exploit user trust. The vulnerability's location within the archive functionality suggests that even historical navigation data could be compromised, creating long-term exposure windows. Mitigation strategies should include immediate implementation of proper input validation and output encoding for all user-supplied data, particularly within navigation parameters. The solution aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for credential access through phishing and T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter execution, emphasizing the need for comprehensive web application security controls. Organizations should also implement Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution and establish proper sanitization routines for all dynamic content generation processes.