CVE-2008-2024 in miniBB
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in index.php in miniBB 2.2, and possibly earlier, when register_globals is enabled, allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the glang[] parameter in a registernew action.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/21/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-2024 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in miniBB 2.2 and potentially earlier versions of the bulletin board software. This vulnerability specifically targets the index.php file and exploits a fundamental security weakness when the PHP configuration parameter register_globals is enabled. The flaw occurs during the registernew action when processing the glang[] parameter, creating an avenue for remote attackers to inject malicious web scripts or HTML content directly into the application's response. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is classified as a critical weakness in web application security. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this under TA0001 Initial Access and TA0002 Execution techniques, as attackers can leverage this vulnerability to establish footholds and execute malicious code within user browsers.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability relies on the dangerous combination of the register_globals PHP directive and improper input validation within the miniBB application. When register_globals is enabled, PHP automatically creates global variables from GET, POST, and cookie data, effectively bypassing normal variable scope rules. This creates a scenario where attacker-controlled parameters can directly influence the application's execution flow. The glang[] parameter, when processed during the registernew action, does not properly sanitize or escape user input before being rendered in the web response. This lack of input validation and output encoding creates a persistent XSS vulnerability that can be exploited across different user sessions. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects the core registration functionality of the bulletin board, meaning that any user attempting to register or modify their language settings could become a victim of the attack.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can lead to complete session hijacking, credential theft, and the execution of malicious payloads within the context of affected users' browsers. Attackers can craft malicious URLs containing script tags that will execute when users browse to the vulnerable application, potentially stealing cookies, redirecting users to phishing sites, or performing actions on behalf of authenticated users. The vulnerability affects the entire user base of the miniBB application, making it particularly dangerous for forums and community platforms where user interaction is high. Organizations running affected versions of miniBB face significant risks of data breaches, reputation damage, and potential compliance violations under data protection regulations such as GDPR or HIPAA. The vulnerability also demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and the dangers of enabling deprecated PHP configurations like register_globals in production environments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-2024 should focus on immediate remediation and long-term security hardening measures. The most effective immediate fix involves disabling the register_globals PHP directive in the php.ini configuration file, which eliminates the underlying cause of the vulnerability. Additionally, developers should implement proper input validation and output encoding for all user-supplied data, particularly parameters like glang[] that are processed in sensitive application contexts. The application should employ Content Security Policy headers to prevent execution of unauthorized scripts and implement proper parameter sanitization using functions like htmlspecialchars or similar encoding mechanisms. Organizations should also consider upgrading to newer versions of miniBB that have addressed this vulnerability, as version 2.2 and earlier contain multiple security weaknesses beyond just this XSS flaw. Security monitoring should include detection of suspicious parameter values and script injection attempts, while regular security audits should verify that no other similar vulnerabilities exist in the application's codebase. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of following secure coding practices and maintaining up-to-date software versions to prevent exploitation of known security flaws.