CVE-2008-2744 in vBulletin
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in vBulletin 3.6.10 and 3.7.1 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unknown vectors and an "obscure method." NOTE: the vector is probably in the redirect parameter to the Admin Control Panel (admincp/index.php).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/10/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2008-2744 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting vBulletin versions 3.6.10 and 3.7.1, categorized under CWE-79 as improper neutralization of input during web page generation. This vulnerability enables remote attackers to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content into web pages viewed by other users, creating a significant security risk for forums and community platforms that rely on vBulletin software. The flaw manifests through obscure methods that are not immediately apparent in the initial vulnerability description, making it particularly dangerous as it may evade standard security monitoring systems.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability appears to occur through the redirect parameter within the Admin Control Panel at admincp/index.php, which represents a sophisticated attack vector that leverages the administrative interface's redirect functionality. This method allows attackers to manipulate the redirect parameter to inject malicious scripts that execute in the context of other users' browsers when they navigate to the affected pages. The vulnerability demonstrates a failure in proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the vBulletin application's administrative components, where user-supplied redirect parameters are not adequately sanitized before being processed or rendered.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it provides attackers with the potential to perform session hijacking, steal user credentials, deface forum content, or redirect users to malicious websites. The administrative control panel access point amplifies the risk significantly since successful exploitation could allow attackers to gain elevated privileges within the forum environment. This vulnerability affects the core security model of vBulletin installations, potentially compromising the integrity of user sessions and the overall security posture of the platform. The "obscure method" mentioned in the description suggests that the attack vector may involve complex parameter manipulation or encoding techniques that make detection and prevention more challenging for security administrators.
Organizations using affected vBulletin versions should implement immediate mitigations including applying the vendor-provided security patches, implementing web application firewalls with XSS detection capabilities, and conducting thorough input validation on all redirect parameters. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.002 for credential access through phishing and T1548.001 for privilege escalation through administrative access. Security teams should also consider implementing Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution and monitor for unusual redirect patterns in web server logs. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other web applications and ensure that proper input sanitization mechanisms are in place across all software components. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of validating and sanitizing all user inputs, particularly in administrative interfaces where the potential impact of exploitation is significantly amplified.