CVE-2008-3709 in CyBoards PHP Lite
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in CyBoards PHP Lite 1.21 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) lOptionsOptions, (2) lNavAdminOptions, or (3) lNavReturn parameter to options.php; or the (4) lNavReturn parameter to subscribe.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/21/2017
The vulnerability described in CVE-2008-3709 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting CyBoards PHP Lite version 1.21, a web-based bulletin board system. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category known as "Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting')", which is one of the most prevalent and dangerous web application security flaws. The vulnerability manifests through four distinct parameter injection points within the application's core files, specifically options.php and subscribe.php, creating multiple attack vectors that adversaries can exploit to execute malicious scripts in the context of affected users' browsers.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output sanitization within the CyBoards PHP Lite application. Attackers can manipulate the lOptionsOptions, lNavAdminOptions, lNavReturn parameters in options.php and the lNavReturn parameter in subscribe.php to inject malicious JavaScript code or HTML content. When these parameters are processed and rendered without proper sanitization, the injected code executes within the victim's browser session, potentially allowing attackers to steal session cookies, deface web pages, or redirect users to malicious sites. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple parameters indicates a systemic flaw in the application's input handling mechanisms rather than isolated code issues.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it creates a persistent threat vector that can be exploited by attackers with minimal technical expertise. Users who interact with the affected application may unknowingly execute malicious code, leading to session hijacking, data theft, or complete compromise of their browser sessions. The vulnerability affects the core administrative and navigation functionality of the bulletin board system, potentially allowing attackers to gain unauthorized access to administrative controls or manipulate user navigation. This type of vulnerability can also serve as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks, as the initial XSS payload may establish a foothold for further exploitation within the network.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application. The recommended approach includes implementing strict parameter validation for all user-supplied inputs, particularly those used in navigation and administrative functions. Organizations should apply proper HTML entity encoding to all dynamic content before rendering it in web pages, following the principle of defense in depth. Additionally, the application should implement Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution and prevent unauthorized code injection. The vulnerability highlights the importance of regular security assessments and input sanitization practices, as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten Project and NIST Cybersecurity Framework guidelines for web application security. Patch management should be prioritized to ensure that all instances of CyBoards PHP Lite are updated to versions that address this specific XSS vulnerability, as the affected version appears to be outdated and no longer receiving security updates.