CVE-2010-3713 in UseBB
Summary
by MITRE
rss.php in UseBB before 1.0.11 does not properly handle forum configurations in which a user has the view permission but not the read permission, which allows remote attackers to bypass intended access restrictions by reading a forum feed in combination with a topic feed.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/08/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2010-3713 affects UseBB versions prior to 1.0.11 and represents a significant access control flaw that undermines the intended security model of forum software. This issue specifically targets the rss.php component which generates syndication feeds for forum content, creating a scenario where improperly configured permissions can lead to unauthorized data access. The vulnerability exploits a logical inconsistency in how the application handles user permissions, particularly when users possess view permission without read permission, which should normally restrict their access to forum content.
The technical implementation of this flaw stems from inadequate permission validation within the rss.php script. When a user with view but not read permissions attempts to access forum feeds, the application fails to properly enforce access restrictions that should prevent reading of topic content. This creates a bypass condition where attackers can combine forum feed access with topic feed access to reconstruct content that should remain restricted. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic case of insufficient authorization checks, where the system assumes that view permissions inherently include read capabilities without proper validation of the underlying access control model.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability allows remote attackers to bypass intended access restrictions and potentially gain access to sensitive forum content that should be restricted to authenticated users with proper read permissions. The ability to read forum feeds combined with topic feeds creates a method for attackers to gather information that may include private discussions, user communications, or other confidential data that should remain protected. This represents a serious breach of data confidentiality and could expose organizations to information disclosure risks, particularly in environments where forums contain sensitive business or personal information.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-285, which addresses improper authorization issues in software systems, and demonstrates how access control flaws can be exploited through seemingly legitimate functionality. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to privilege escalation and credential access techniques, as attackers can leverage the permission bypass to access restricted content without proper authentication. The exploitability of this vulnerability is enhanced by its remote nature, allowing attackers to perform unauthorized access from external networks without requiring physical access to the system. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to UseBB version 1.0.11 or later, reviewing and properly configuring forum permissions, and monitoring for unauthorized access attempts to prevent exploitation of this vulnerability.