CVE-2011-3392 in Phorum
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in control.php in the controlcenter in Phorum before 5.2.17 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the real_name parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/18/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-3392 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the Phorum content management system, specifically affecting versions prior to 5.2.17. This issue resides in the control.php file within the controlcenter module, making it a critical security concern for any organization relying on this platform for community forums or content management. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly process user-supplied data before rendering it within web pages.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the real_name parameter which is processed by the control.php script without sufficient sanitization measures. When remote attackers submit malicious payloads through this parameter, the system fails to properly escape or filter the input before incorporating it into the HTML output. This creates an environment where attackers can inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML code that executes in the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability manifests as a reflected XSS attack since the malicious content is reflected back to users through the vulnerable parameter, making it particularly dangerous for user interaction with forum content.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to perform various malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, and data exfiltration. An attacker could craft payloads that steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious websites, or even inject malware delivery mechanisms. The severity is amplified by the fact that forum administrators often have elevated privileges, meaning successful exploitation could provide attackers with access to administrative controls and sensitive user data. This vulnerability particularly affects organizations using Phorum for collaborative environments where users frequently interact with forum content and may trust the platform's interface.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate patching to version 5.2.17 or later, which contains the necessary input validation fixes. Organizations should implement comprehensive input sanitization measures including HTML escaping of all user-supplied data before rendering in web contexts, as recommended by CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting vulnerabilities. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy headers can provide an additional layer of protection against script injection attacks. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1566 - Phishing, as attackers can leverage XSS to create convincing phishing pages or steal authentication tokens. Regular security audits and input validation testing should be implemented to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in other components of the system, while adhering to OWASP Top Ten security practices for web application protection.