CVE-2008-0439 in DeluxeBB
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in templates/default/admincp/attachments_header.php in DeluxeBB 1.1 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the lang_listofmatches parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/24/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-0439 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the DeluxeBB 1.1 content management system, specifically targeting the administrative control panel interface. This issue resides in the templates/default/admincp/attachments_header.php file where user-supplied input is not properly sanitized before being rendered back to web browsers. The vulnerability manifests through the lang_listofmatches parameter, which serves as an injection vector for malicious scripts. This particular weakness enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of other users' browsers who access the affected administrative interface. The flaw demonstrates a critical failure in input validation and output encoding practices that violates fundamental web security principles.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts malicious input containing script tags or HTML elements and submits them through the lang_listofmatches parameter. When the DeluxeBB application processes this parameter without adequate sanitization, the malformed input gets embedded directly into the page template and subsequently executed by unsuspecting administrators or users who visit the affected administrative pages. This creates a persistent threat where any user with administrative privileges or those who regularly access the admin control panel becomes a potential victim of the XSS attack. The vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for initial access through malicious web content. The attack chain typically begins with the delivery of malicious payloads through web interfaces, leveraging the trust relationship between the web application and its users.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, creating a significant risk for administrative compromise within the DeluxeBB environment. An attacker could potentially steal session cookies, perform unauthorized administrative actions, redirect users to malicious sites, or harvest sensitive information from the administrative interface. The vulnerability particularly affects organizations using DeluxeBB 1.1 for forum management, as it undermines the security of the administrative control panel where critical system configuration and user management occurs. This flaw could enable attackers to escalate privileges, modify forum content, or gain unauthorized access to user data, making it a serious concern for any organization relying on this platform for community management or discussion forums. The persistent nature of the vulnerability means that once exploited, it could provide attackers with ongoing access to the administrative interface.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-0439 should focus on immediate input validation and output encoding measures within the DeluxeBB application. Organizations should implement proper parameter sanitization for all user-supplied input, particularly within administrative interfaces where such vulnerabilities pose the greatest risk. The recommended approach includes implementing strict input validation that rejects or encodes potentially malicious content before processing, combined with proper output encoding when rendering user data within HTML contexts. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing Content Security Policy headers to limit the execution of unauthorized scripts, and establish regular security audits of web applications to identify similar vulnerabilities. The remediation process should involve updating to patched versions of DeluxeBB, applying proper input validation routines, and implementing comprehensive testing procedures to prevent similar XSS vulnerabilities from reoccurring in the application's codebase. Security teams should also monitor for exploitation attempts and implement intrusion detection measures to identify potential attacks targeting this specific vulnerability.