CVE-2008-5435 in PunBB
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in moderate.php in PunBB before 1.3.1 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via a topic subject.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/22/2018
The CVE-2008-5435 vulnerability represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw in the PunBB bulletin board software, specifically within the moderate.php script. This vulnerability existed in PunBB versions prior to 1.3.1 and enabled remote attackers to execute malicious web scripts or HTML code through manipulated topic subjects. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and output sanitization mechanisms within the moderation interface, creating an exploitable pathway for attackers to inject malicious content into the application's user interface.
This vulnerability operates under the Common Weakness Enumeration CWE-79 category, which classifies it as a weakness in input validation and output encoding. The technical implementation involves the application failing to properly sanitize user-supplied input data when processing topic subjects within the moderation context. When administrators or users view these manipulated subjects, the malicious scripts execute in the context of other users' browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability specifically targets the topic subject field, which is commonly used in forum moderation activities where administrators might be more likely to interact with user-submitted content.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can be leveraged for more sophisticated attacks within the forum environment. Attackers can craft malicious subject lines that, when viewed by forum administrators, execute scripts that steal cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or perform actions on behalf of the victim. This creates a persistent threat vector where compromised administrators become unwitting participants in attacks against other forum users. The vulnerability's remote nature means attackers can exploit it without requiring local access or authentication, making it particularly dangerous in public forum environments where multiple users interact with content regularly.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-5435 should prioritize immediate software updates to PunBB version 1.3.1 or later, which contain the necessary input sanitization patches. Organizations should implement comprehensive output encoding mechanisms that properly escape special characters in all user-generated content before rendering it in web pages. Additionally, implementing content security policies can provide an additional layer of protection against script execution, while regular security audits of input validation routines can prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in the future. The attack surface can be reduced by implementing proper access controls and monitoring user activities, particularly around moderation functions where such vulnerabilities are most likely to be exploited.