CVE-2007-3219 in IP.Board
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in sources/action_public/xmlout.php in Invision Power Board (IPB or IP.Board) 2.2.0 through 2.2.2 allows remote attackers to modify another user s profile data, such as an AIM screen name or Yahoo! identity.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/12/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-3219 represents a critical authorization flaw within Invision Power Board version 2.2.0 through 2.2.2, specifically affecting the sources/action_public/xmlout.php component. This issue stems from inadequate input validation and insufficient access control mechanisms that permit unauthorized remote attackers to manipulate user profile information without proper authentication. The vulnerability exists in the XML output handling functionality that processes user data requests, creating a pathway for malicious actors to modify sensitive profile attributes including instant messaging identifiers and social networking handles. Such a flaw directly compromises user privacy and system integrity by enabling unauthorized data modification through a publicly accessible interface.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability manifests through improper validation of user permissions within the xmlout.php script, which fails to verify whether the requesting user possesses appropriate authorization levels to modify profile data belonging to other users. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting specially formatted XML requests that bypass normal access controls, allowing them to submit modifications to arbitrary user profiles. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-285, which addresses insufficient authorization issues in software systems, and represents a classic example of privilege escalation through improper access control validation. The flaw operates at the application layer and leverages the XML-based communication protocol to manipulate user data through a remote attack vector.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data modification, as it enables attackers to potentially compromise user trust and system reputation. By altering profile information such as AIM screen names or Yahoo! identities, malicious actors can create false identities or disrupt user communications within the forum environment. This vulnerability also poses significant risks to user privacy and could potentially be exploited for social engineering attacks or to spread malicious content through compromised user accounts. The affected version range indicates this was a persistent flaw that required multiple patch releases to address, highlighting the severity of the authorization bypass mechanism. Organizations relying on this forum software faced potential exposure to unauthorized profile manipulation, which could undermine user confidence and system security posture.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-3219 require immediate patch application to the affected Invision Power Board versions, implementing proper input validation for all XML-based requests, and strengthening access control mechanisms within the application. System administrators should enforce strict authorization checks for all profile modification operations and implement logging mechanisms to detect unauthorized access attempts. Additionally, network-level firewalls should be configured to limit access to XML output interfaces where possible, and regular security audits should verify that proper access controls are maintained. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of implementing defense-in-depth strategies, including proper authentication checks, input sanitization, and regular security assessments to prevent unauthorized access to user data. Organizations should also consider implementing automated monitoring solutions to detect anomalous profile modification patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts.