CVE-2012-6668 in vBShout Module
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in the Shout Reports in the DragonByte Technologies vBShout module before 6.0.6 for vBulletin allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) reportreason parameter in actions/doreport.php or (2) modnotes parameter in actions/updatereport.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/29/2021
The CVE-2012-6668 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw discovered in the DragonByte Technologies vBShout module for vBulletin platforms. This vulnerability affects versions prior to 6.0.6 and exposes the system to remote code execution through malicious script injection attacks. The flaw specifically targets two distinct parameters within the module's reporting functionality, creating multiple attack vectors for malicious actors seeking to compromise user sessions and potentially gain unauthorized access to sensitive data.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding within the vBShout module's reporting mechanisms. Attackers can exploit the reportreason parameter in the actions/doreport.php file to inject malicious scripts that will execute in the context of other users' browsers when they view the affected reports. Similarly, the modnotes parameter in actions/updatereport.php presents another pathway for injection attacks, allowing threat actors to embed malicious code that persists in the system's report management interface. Both vectors demonstrate a fundamental failure in sanitizing user-supplied input before processing or displaying it within the web application's interface.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, creating significant risks for vBulletin forum administrators and their user communities. When exploited, these XSS vulnerabilities can enable session hijacking attacks where attackers steal user authentication tokens and impersonate legitimate users. The persistent nature of the vulnerability through the modnotes parameter means that malicious code can remain active in the system for extended periods, potentially affecting multiple users over time. Additionally, the vulnerability could facilitate more sophisticated attacks such as credential theft, data exfiltration, or the redirection of users to malicious websites, all of which pose serious threats to user privacy and system integrity.
Organizations affected by CVE-2012-6668 should prioritize immediate remediation through the mandatory upgrade to vBShout version 6.0.6 or later, which includes proper input validation and output encoding measures. System administrators should also implement additional defensive measures such as web application firewalls to monitor for suspicious parameter values and regular security audits of forum modules. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, and represents a clear violation of secure coding practices outlined in the OWASP Top Ten. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1566.001 (Phishing with Malicious Attachments) and T1059.007 (Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript), demonstrating how insecure input handling can create persistent attack surfaces that enable broader compromise strategies.