CVE-2012-6667 in vBShout Module
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in vbshout.php in DragonByte Technologies vBShout module for vBulletin allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the shout parameter in a shout action.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/26/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-6667 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the vBShout module of the vBulletin forum platform, specifically affecting the DragonByte Technologies implementation. This weakness resides in the vbshout.php file where user input is not properly sanitized before being rendered back to other users within the forum environment. The vulnerability manifests when attackers exploit the shout parameter during a shout action, enabling them to inject malicious web scripts or HTML content that executes in the context of other users' browsers. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is classified as a fundamental web application security weakness that allows attackers to execute client-side scripts in the victim's browser.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of the shout parameter within the vbshout.php script, where the application fails to implement adequate input validation or output encoding mechanisms. When legitimate users view the shout content, the malicious payload embedded in the shout parameter executes in their browser context, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious websites. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the nature of forum platforms where multiple users interact and view content, creating a wide attack surface for potential exploitation. This flaw aligns with ATT&CK technique T1531 which describes the use of malicious content to compromise user sessions or execute unauthorized actions.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-6667 extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable sophisticated attacks such as credential harvesting through session cookie theft, phishing attacks disguised as legitimate forum content, or even the installation of malware through browser-based exploits. Forum administrators and users are particularly vulnerable since the attack vector requires no special privileges or access to the system itself, making it an attractive target for attackers seeking to compromise large user bases. The vulnerability's persistence in the platform's shout functionality means that any content posted through this mechanism could potentially serve as a vector for ongoing attacks, with the malicious scripts executing every time the affected content is viewed by other users. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where forum content is frequently updated or where administrators are not immediately aware of the compromised content.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate input sanitization and output encoding measures within the vBShout module. Implementing proper HTML entity encoding for all user-provided content before rendering it on the page prevents script execution in the browser context. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy headers can provide an additional layer of protection against unauthorized script execution. The most effective long-term solution involves upgrading to patched versions of the vBShout module or the entire vBulletin platform, as DragonByte Technologies would have released security updates addressing this specific vulnerability. Organizations should also implement regular security assessments of their web applications, including input validation testing and automated scanning for XSS vulnerabilities, to prevent similar issues from occurring in other components of their web infrastructure.