CVE-2007-3963 in UseBB
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in UseBB 1.0.7, and possibly other 1.0.x versions, allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the PATH_INFO (PHP_SELF) to (1) upgrade-0-2-3.php, (2) upgrade-0-3.php, or (3) upgrade-0-4.php in install/, a different vulnerability than CVE-2005-4193.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/05/2018
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-3963 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting UseBB version 1.0.7 and potentially other 1.0.x releases. This security weakness resides within the application's installation scripts, specifically targeting three upgrade files located in the install directory. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation and output encoding mechanisms that fail to sanitize user-supplied data before rendering it in web responses. Attackers can exploit this flaw by manipulating the PATH_INFO parameter, which corresponds to PHP_SELF, to inject malicious scripts that execute in the context of other users' browsers. This particular variant differs from CVE-2005-4193, indicating a distinct code path or implementation weakness within the upgrade functionality.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of the PATH_INFO variable, which PHP uses to determine the script name when processing requests. When the upgrade scripts process this parameter without adequate sanitization, malicious payloads can be injected directly into the web response. The affected files upgrade-0-2-3.php, upgrade-0-3.php, and upgrade-0-4.php in the install directory represent the attack surface where this flaw manifests. These scripts are typically accessed during software installation or upgrade processes, making them particularly attractive targets for attackers seeking to compromise systems during vulnerable installation phases. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79 as a failure to sanitize input, specifically manifesting as a cross-site scripting weakness that allows arbitrary code execution in victim browsers.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to perform a range of malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, and redirection to malicious sites. When legitimate users access the vulnerable upgrade scripts, their browsers execute the injected scripts, potentially allowing attackers to steal cookies, modify session tokens, or redirect users to phishing sites. The attack requires minimal privileges since it operates entirely within the web application context, and the exploitation can occur without authentication or authorization. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous during software installation phases when users may be less vigilant about the security of the installation process. The vulnerability also presents a significant risk to system integrity as it can be leveraged to establish persistent access or to deploy additional malicious payloads.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to a patched version of UseBB, implementing input validation and output encoding measures, and monitoring for exploitation attempts. The recommended approach involves filtering all user-supplied input, particularly parameters derived from PATH_INFO or PHP_SELF, and ensuring proper HTML encoding of dynamic content before rendering. Security controls should include web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious script injection patterns, as well as regular security audits of installation and upgrade scripts. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1566.001 (Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment) and T1059.007 (Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript) as attackers can leverage the XSS to deliver malicious JavaScript payloads that execute in user browsers. The vulnerability also aligns with T1071.004 (Application Layer Protocol: DNS) if attackers use the XSS to redirect users to malicious domains, and T1531 (Account Access Removal) if session tokens are stolen and used to maintain persistent access. System administrators should ensure that installation directories are properly secured and that only authorized personnel have access to these sensitive upgrade scripts.