CVE-2010-4827 in Forums 2000
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in members.asp in Snitz Forums 2000 3.4.07 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the M_NAME parameter. NOTE: some of these details are obtained from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/15/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-4827 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Snitz Forums 2000 version 3.4.07 platform, specifically affecting the members.asp component. This vulnerability classifies under CWE-79 which defines improper neutralization of input during web page generation, making it a classic example of insecure web application development practices that have persisted across decades of cybersecurity challenges. The flaw manifests when the application fails to properly sanitize user input received through the M_NAME parameter, creating an avenue for malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of other users' browsers.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of the M_NAME parameter in the members.asp script, which serves as a direct injection point for malicious payloads. When legitimate users view the member listings or related pages, the unsanitized input gets rendered without proper HTML escaping or encoding, allowing attackers to inject malicious scripts that execute in the victim's browser context. This type of vulnerability enables attackers to perform session hijacking, steal cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or even perform actions on behalf of authenticated users within the forum environment. The attack vector operates entirely through web-based interactions, requiring no local system access or privileged accounts, making it particularly dangerous for public-facing web applications.
The operational impact of CVE-2010-4827 extends beyond simple data theft or display manipulation, as it can lead to complete compromise of user sessions and potential privilege escalation within the forum ecosystem. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access through session fixation attacks, create backdoor accounts, or harvest sensitive user credentials and personal information stored within the forum environment. The vulnerability's presence in a forum platform particularly amplifies its risk profile since forums typically contain user-generated content, personal information, and may serve as entry points for broader network infiltration attempts. According to ATT&CK framework category T1059, this vulnerability enables command and control operations through web-based payloads, while T1531 relates to the exploitation of credential exposure through session manipulation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements to prevent similar issues in future development cycles. The primary fix involves implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the members.asp script, ensuring all user-supplied data is sanitized before being rendered in web pages. This includes applying HTML entity encoding to all dynamic content, implementing strict parameter validation, and employing content security policies to prevent script execution. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious injection attempts, while establishing comprehensive monitoring systems to identify unusual traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a prime example of why secure coding practices must be integrated throughout the software development lifecycle, as outlined in OWASP's secure coding guidelines and the NIST Cybersecurity Framework's focus on secure software development practices.