CVE-2007-0767 in Phorum
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the core in Phorum before 5.1.18 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/18/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-0767 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Phorum content management system prior to version 5.1.18. This vulnerability falls under the category of CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting attacks, where malicious scripts are injected into web applications and executed in the context of other users' browsers. The flaw exists in the core components of Phorum, making it particularly dangerous as it affects fundamental application functionality rather than isolated features.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the Phorum application. Attackers can exploit this weakness by submitting malicious payloads through unspecified vectors that bypass normal security checks. These vectors likely include user input fields, URL parameters, or cookie data that are not properly sanitized before being rendered back to users. The vulnerability allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content, enabling them to execute malicious code in the browsers of unsuspecting victims who view affected content.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or defacement. When exploited successfully, XSS attacks can facilitate session hijacking, where attackers steal user authentication tokens and impersonate legitimate users. This enables unauthorized access to sensitive forums, private messages, and user accounts. Additionally, attackers can use the vulnerability to redirect users to malicious websites, harvest cookies, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. The attack surface is particularly broad given that Phorum is a widely used forum software, meaning a successful exploitation could affect numerous websites simultaneously.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-0767 require immediate action including upgrading to Phorum version 5.1.18 or later, which contains the necessary security patches. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms to prevent malicious content from being executed. The principle of least privilege should be applied by ensuring that user inputs are properly sanitized before being stored or displayed. Security headers such as Content Security Policy can provide additional protection against XSS attacks. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other web applications, as this type of flaw often indicates broader security issues within the application architecture. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions and implementing proper security controls as outlined in the ATT&CK framework's web application attack patterns.