CVE-2008-0383 in MyBB
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in MyBB 1.2.10 and earlier allow remote moderators and administrators to execute arbitrary SQL commands via (1) the mergepost parameter in a do_mergeposts action, (2) rid parameter in an allreports action, or (3) threads parameter in a do_multimovethreads action to (a) moderation.php; or (4) gid parameter to (b) admin/usergroups.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/10/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2008-0383 represents a critical security flaw in MyBB versions 1.2.10 and earlier, affecting the widely used bulletin board software. This issue manifests as multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities that can be exploited by remote users with moderator or administrator privileges, creating a significant risk to forum security and data integrity. The vulnerability specifically targets the administrative and moderation functions of the platform, making it particularly dangerous as it allows attackers with elevated access levels to execute arbitrary SQL commands within the database.
The technical exploitation occurs through several distinct parameters within the MyBB application's codebase. The first vector involves the mergepost parameter during a do_mergeposts action in moderation.php, while the second uses the rid parameter in an allreports action also within the moderation.php file. Additionally, the vulnerability extends to the threads parameter in a do_multimovethreads action within the same moderation.php file, and finally to the gid parameter in admin/usergroups.php. These parameters are processed without proper input sanitization or parameter validation, allowing malicious SQL commands to be injected directly into the database queries executed by the application. This lack of input validation creates an environment where attacker-controlled data can be interpreted as part of the SQL command structure rather than as literal data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted. Remote attackers with moderator or administrator access can leverage these injection points to perform unauthorized database operations including but not limited to data extraction, modification, or deletion. The compromised system may experience complete data loss, unauthorized access to user accounts, and potential privilege escalation within the database. Given that these parameters are typically used in administrative functions, the attack surface is particularly broad as these operations are frequently performed by trusted users within the forum environment. The vulnerability essentially provides a backdoor mechanism for attackers to bypass normal access controls and directly manipulate the underlying database, potentially compromising the entire forum infrastructure.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-89 which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with attack patterns found in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1190 technique for exploitation of remote services. The attack vector represents a privilege escalation scenario where an attacker with lower privileges (moderator) can potentially gain elevated database access through these injection points. Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including input validation, parameterized queries, and proper access controls to prevent exploitation. The recommended remediation involves upgrading to MyBB versions that address these vulnerabilities, implementing proper input sanitization for all user-supplied parameters, and conducting thorough code reviews to identify similar injection vulnerabilities in other application components. Additionally, database access should be restricted to minimal necessary permissions, and all administrative functions should be protected with robust authentication mechanisms and input validation routines to prevent similar issues in the future.