CVE-2007-2908 in vBulletin
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in calendar.php in Jelsoft vBulletin before 3.6.6 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the title field in a single add action.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/23/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-2908 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the Jelsoft vBulletin platform prior to version 3.6.6. This issue specifically affects the calendar.php component where user input validation is insufficiently implemented, creating a pathway for malicious actors to execute unauthorized code within the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability exists in the handling of the title field during single add actions, making it particularly dangerous as it allows attackers to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content directly into the application's calendar functionality.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input sanitization mechanisms within the vBulletin calendar module. When users submit calendar events through the add action interface, the title field fails to properly validate or escape user-supplied content before rendering it on the web page. This omission creates an environment where malicious payloads can be executed when other users view the affected calendar entries. The flaw operates under the common CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is classified as a critical security weakness in web applications where untrusted data is improperly handled and displayed without adequate sanitization.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it provides attackers with the capability to perform session hijacking, steal sensitive user information, redirect victims to malicious sites, or even execute more sophisticated attacks through the compromised user sessions. Attackers can craft malicious title entries containing JavaScript payloads that execute in the browsers of other users who view the calendar events. This creates a persistent threat vector that can affect all users of the vulnerable vBulletin installation, particularly those with administrative privileges who may be exposed to more severe consequences such as complete system compromise or unauthorized access to sensitive forum data.
Security practitioners should recognize this vulnerability as a prime example of how insufficient input validation can lead to severe web application security breaches. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that calendar functionality is often used by forum administrators and regular users alike, creating multiple potential entry points for exploitation. Organizations utilizing vulnerable versions of vBulletin should immediately implement the recommended mitigation strategies including upgrading to version 3.6.6 or later, implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms, and applying web application firewalls to detect and block malicious payloads. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 which describes social engineering attacks that leverage web application vulnerabilities to gain initial access to target systems. The remediation process should include comprehensive code review of all user input handling mechanisms, implementation of context-specific output encoding, and regular security assessments to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in other components of the application.