CVE-2013-5020 in MiniBB
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in bb_admin.php in MiniBB before 3.0.1 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) forum_name, (2) forum_group, (3) forum_icon, or (4) forum_desc parameter. NOTE: the whatus vector is already covered by CVE-2008-2066.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/11/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2013-5020 represents a significant security flaw in the MiniBB bulletin board software version 3.0.0 and earlier. This issue manifests as multiple cross-site scripting vulnerabilities within the bb_admin.php administrative interface, specifically targeting four distinct input parameters that control forum metadata. The vulnerability affects the core administrative functionality of the platform, where attackers can manipulate forum configuration settings through maliciously crafted input data. These XSS flaws occur because the application fails to properly sanitize or escape user-supplied input before rendering it within the web interface, creating opportunities for attackers to execute arbitrary scripts in the context of other users' browsers.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of four specific parameters within the administrative interface: forum_name, forum_group, forum_icon, and forum_desc. When administrators or users interact with these parameters, the application processes the input without adequate validation or output encoding, allowing malicious scripts to be injected and subsequently executed when the affected page is rendered. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws in software applications. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple data theft, as it can enable attackers to perform actions on behalf of authenticated users, potentially leading to complete compromise of the administrative interface and underlying system.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-5020 is substantial for organizations relying on MiniBB for community forums or discussion platforms. Attackers could leverage these vulnerabilities to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, deface forum content, or escalate privileges within the administrative environment. The vulnerability affects the fundamental integrity of the platform's administrative functions, potentially allowing unauthorized individuals to modify forum settings, create malicious content, or establish persistent backdoors through the injected scripts. Given that this vulnerability exists in the administrative interface, it could enable attackers to gain full control over the forum's configuration and potentially access sensitive user data or system resources.
Security professionals should implement multiple layers of defense to mitigate this vulnerability, including immediate patching of affected systems to version 3.0.1 or later where the issue has been resolved. Input validation and output encoding should be strengthened throughout the application to prevent similar issues in other components. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which covers script injection attacks, and demonstrates the importance of proper input sanitization in web applications. Organizations should also consider implementing content security policies to limit the execution of unauthorized scripts, and regular security assessments should verify that all input parameters are properly validated and sanitized to prevent similar cross-site scripting vulnerabilities from being introduced in future code modifications or third-party integrations.