CVE-2007-3975 in Elite Forum
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in index.php in Elite Forum 1.0.0.0 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the title parameter in a ptopic action, a different vulnerability than CVE-2005-3412.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/25/2017
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-3975 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the Elite Forum 1.0.0.0 web application. This security weakness specifically targets the index.php script and occurs when processing user input through the title parameter during a ptopic action. The flaw enables remote attackers to inject malicious web scripts or HTML code directly into the forum's output, creating a persistent vector for various malicious activities. Unlike CVE-2005-3412 which addressed a similar vulnerability in a different context, this particular flaw demonstrates how web applications can be compromised through improper input validation mechanisms within their core processing functions. The vulnerability exists at the application layer and affects users who view forum posts containing the maliciously injected content.
The technical implementation of this XSS vulnerability stems from inadequate sanitization of user-supplied input parameters. When the title parameter is passed through the ptopic action without proper validation or encoding, the application fails to escape special characters that could be interpreted as HTML or JavaScript commands. This processing gap allows attackers to embed malicious payloads within forum post titles, which are then rendered to other users browsing the forum. The vulnerability is classified as a reflected XSS variant since the malicious content is immediately processed and displayed without being stored on the server. This particular flaw aligns with CWE-79 which defines Cross-Site Scripting as a weakness where untrusted data is sent to a web browser without proper validation or encoding.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data corruption or display issues. An attacker could exploit this flaw to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious websites, deface forum content, or even execute arbitrary commands within the context of a victim's browser session. The implications are particularly severe for community forums where users trust the platform and may unknowingly execute malicious code when viewing infected posts. This vulnerability undermines the integrity of the entire forum ecosystem, potentially allowing attackers to establish persistent access to user accounts, manipulate forum content, or use the platform as a launching point for broader attacks against the organization's infrastructure. The impact is consistent with ATT&CK technique T1566 which covers social engineering tactics involving malicious content delivery through compromised web applications.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms. The application should sanitize all user-supplied parameters, particularly those used in dynamic content generation, by implementing strict validation rules that reject or encode potentially dangerous characters. The most effective approach involves implementing context-specific output encoding, ensuring that any data rendered to HTML contexts is properly escaped to prevent script execution. Organizations should also consider implementing Content Security Policy headers to add an additional layer of protection against XSS attacks. Regular security assessments and input validation testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components, as this type of flaw often indicates broader security gaps in web application development practices. The remediation process should include comprehensive code reviews to ensure that all user input is properly validated and that the application follows secure coding practices as outlined in industry standards and best practices.