CVE-2007-5033 in phpBB XS
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in profile.php in phpBB XS 2 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the selfdes parameter in a profile_info editprofile action.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/29/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-5033 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the phpBB XS 2 forum software ecosystem. This issue resides in the profile.php script where user input is not properly sanitized before being rendered back to users. The specific attack vector involves the selfdes parameter which is utilized during profile_info editprofile actions, creating an opportunity for malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of other users' browsers.
This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, specifically representing a reflected XSS attack where malicious input is immediately reflected back to users without proper input validation or output encoding. The flaw enables attackers to inject malicious payloads that can persistently affect users who view the compromised profile information, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious websites. The impact is particularly concerning in forum environments where users frequently interact with profile information and trust the displayed content.
The operational implications of this vulnerability extend beyond simple script injection as it can be leveraged for more sophisticated attacks within the ATT&CK framework's credential access and persistence phases. Attackers can craft malicious selfdes entries that, when viewed by other users, can steal session cookies or redirect victims to phishing sites. The vulnerability affects the integrity of user profiles and can compromise the overall security posture of the forum by enabling attackers to establish footholds within the user community. This creates a chain reaction where compromised profiles can serve as launching points for further attacks against other forum participants.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms. The most effective approach involves sanitizing all user-supplied data before it is processed or stored in the database, particularly parameters like selfdes that are directly rendered in user-facing interfaces. Implementing Content Security Policy headers can provide additional protection layers by restricting the sources from which scripts can be executed. Regular security updates and patches should be applied immediately upon availability, as phpBB XS 2 has been deprecated for many years. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring for suspicious profile modifications to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation in web applications and aligns with security best practices outlined in OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity frameworks for preventing injection vulnerabilities.