CVE-2008-3566 in freeForum
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in ZoneO-soft freeForum 1.7 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the acuparam parameter to (1) the default URI or (2) index.php, or (3) the PATH_INFO to index.php. NOTE: the provenance of this information is unknown; the details are obtained solely from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/30/2025
The CVE-2008-3566 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw discovered in ZoneO-soft freeForum version 1.7, a web-based discussion platform that was widely used for creating online forums. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is one of the most prevalent and dangerous web application security flaws identified by the CWE database. The vulnerability specifically affects the parameter handling mechanism within the forum software, where user input is not properly sanitized before being processed and displayed back to other users. The affected parameters include acuparam which is utilized in three distinct entry points: the default URI, index.php, and through PATH_INFO to index.php, making the attack surface particularly broad and accessible to potential threat actors.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding practices within the freeForum application code. When users submit data through the acuparam parameter, the application fails to properly sanitize or escape the input before incorporating it into the HTML response sent to web browsers. This allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary JavaScript code, HTML tags, or other malicious content that will execute in the context of other users' browsers when they view the affected forum pages. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the application layer and requires no special privileges or authentication to exploit, making it a prime target for automated attacks and social engineering campaigns.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as it provides attackers with the capability to establish persistent malicious presence within the forum environment. Once exploited, attackers can perform session hijacking, redirect users to malicious websites, steal sensitive information such as cookies or login credentials, or even inject backdoors for continued access. The vulnerability affects not only the immediate forum users but also creates potential for cascading security issues within organizations that rely on the forum for internal communications. The fact that the vulnerability exists across multiple URI paths increases the likelihood of successful exploitation and makes it more difficult for administrators to implement comprehensive protection measures. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1566.001 (Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment) and T1059.007 (Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript) as attackers can leverage the XSS to deliver malicious payloads and execute code in the victim's browser context.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-3566 should prioritize immediate patching of the affected freeForum version 1.7, as this represents the most effective defense against the vulnerability. Organizations should implement proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms that sanitize all user-supplied data before it is processed or displayed within the application. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide an additional layer of protection by restricting the sources from which scripts can be executed. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other web applications within the organization's infrastructure. Additionally, network monitoring and intrusion detection systems should be configured to detect unusual patterns of parameter manipulation that may indicate exploitation attempts. Given the age of this vulnerability and the lack of vendor support for the affected version, organizations should consider migrating to more modern forum solutions that have established security track records and regular security updates. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security practices and the necessity of comprehensive security awareness training for developers to prevent similar flaws in future application development cycles.