CVE-2008-5944 in NavBoard
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in modules.php in NavBoard 16 (2.6.0) allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the module parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/14/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2008-5944 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the NavBoard 16 content management system version 2.6.0. This issue specifically affects the modules.php script which serves as a central module handling component within the application's architecture. The vulnerability arises from insufficient input validation and output sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly filter user-supplied data before it is processed and rendered within the web interface. The module parameter in the modules.php file acts as the primary attack vector, allowing malicious actors to inject malicious scripts that execute within the context of other users' browsers.
This XSS vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is classified as a critical security weakness in web applications. The flaw operates by allowing remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML content through the module parameter, which then gets executed when other users browse to pages that utilize the vulnerable module. The attack exploits the application's failure to properly sanitize input data, particularly when the module parameter is passed through URL parameters or form submissions without adequate validation. This type of vulnerability enables attackers to bypass the same-origin policy that protects web browsers, allowing them to execute malicious code in the victim's browser context.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable sophisticated attack chains that compromise user sessions, steal sensitive data, or redirect users to malicious websites. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to perform session hijacking, steal cookies, or inject malicious payloads that persist across user sessions. The vulnerability affects the entire NavBoard 16 user base, as any user who views pages utilizing the affected module parameter becomes a potential victim. This weakness particularly impacts web applications that rely on user-generated content or dynamic module loading, where the application fails to implement proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms. The vulnerability can be exploited through various methods including reflected XSS attacks where the malicious script is immediately reflected back to the user, or stored XSS where the payload is permanently stored within the application's database.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding practices throughout the application's codebase. The primary defense involves sanitizing all user-supplied input, particularly parameters like the module parameter, through proper validation techniques that reject or escape potentially dangerous characters. The application should implement strict whitelisting mechanisms for module parameters, ensuring that only predefined, safe module names are accepted. Additionally, developers should employ proper output encoding when rendering user data, implementing context-specific encoding for HTML, JavaScript, and URL contexts. The solution aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 which involves exploiting weaknesses in web application frameworks to execute malicious code. Organizations should also consider implementing Content Security Policy headers to add an additional layer of protection against XSS attacks. Regular security code reviews and input validation testing should be conducted to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in future releases of the application.
The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure coding practices and input validation in web application development. It highlights how a single parameter handling flaw can create significant security risks that affect all users of the application. The issue underscores the necessity of following established security frameworks and standards such as the OWASP Top Ten, which consistently ranks XSS vulnerabilities among the most prevalent web application security risks. Proper implementation of security controls including input sanitization, output encoding, and proper parameter validation can effectively prevent this type of attack from occurring. Organizations should also implement regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing to identify and remediate similar weaknesses before they can be exploited by malicious actors in the wild.