CVE-2008-0382 in MyBB
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple eval injection vulnerabilities in MyBB 1.2.10 and earlier allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via the sortby parameter to (1) forumdisplay.php or (2) a results action in search.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/14/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-0382 represents a critical server-side code injection flaw affecting MyBB versions 1.2.10 and earlier. This vulnerability resides within the forum software's handling of user-supplied input parameters, specifically targeting the sortby parameter in two distinct locations. The flaw enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on the affected system, potentially leading to complete compromise of the web server hosting the vulnerable forum. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of code injection attacks, which are classified as CWE-94 in the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog, representing improper execution of dynamically generated code.
The technical mechanism behind this vulnerability involves the improper sanitization and validation of user input within the forumdisplay.php and search.php scripts. When users submit requests containing malicious sortby parameters, the application fails to properly escape or validate these inputs before incorporating them into server-side execution contexts. This allows attackers to inject PHP code directly into the execution flow, bypassing normal security controls and authorization mechanisms. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the application layer, requiring no privileged access or specialized tools beyond standard web browser capabilities to exploit.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, creating a comprehensive attack surface that can be leveraged for various malicious activities. Successful exploitation can result in complete system compromise, data theft, privilege escalation, and potential lateral movement within network environments. Attackers can use this vulnerability to install backdoors, modify forum content, steal user credentials, or gain persistent access to the compromised server. The vulnerability affects the integrity and availability of the forum application, potentially disrupting legitimate user activities while providing attackers with persistent access to the system. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and script injection, as the vulnerability enables attackers to execute arbitrary commands through the affected application.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-0382 must address both immediate remediation and long-term security improvements. The primary recommendation involves upgrading to MyBB versions that have patched this vulnerability, as the original developers released updated versions with proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation controls that reject or sanitize any potentially malicious content before processing user-supplied parameters. Additionally, web application firewalls should be configured to monitor and block suspicious patterns in URL parameters, particularly those containing PHP code or other executable content. Security monitoring should include regular vulnerability scanning and log analysis to detect potential exploitation attempts. The implementation of proper output encoding and the principle of least privilege in application design can significantly reduce the impact of similar vulnerabilities in the future, aligning with security best practices outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST Cybersecurity Framework guidelines.