CVE-2013-5955 in Com Pbbooking
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in manage.php in the PBBooking (com_pbbooking) component 2.4 for Joomla! allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the an arbitrary parameter in an edit action to administrator/index.php.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/08/2026
The CVE-2013-5955 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the PBBooking component version 2.4 for Joomla! platforms. This security weakness exists in the manage.php file and specifically targets the administrator interface of the content management system. The vulnerability arises from insufficient input validation and output sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly handle user-supplied data within the edit action functionality of the administrator/index.php endpoint. Attackers can exploit this flaw by manipulating arbitrary parameters during administrative editing operations, potentially injecting malicious scripts or HTML code that executes in the context of other users' browsers.
This XSS vulnerability operates at the application layer and demonstrates a classic failure in secure input processing as defined by CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting vulnerabilities. The flaw allows remote attackers to execute malicious scripts in the victim's browser session, potentially enabling session hijacking, credential theft, or unauthorized administrative actions. The vulnerability's impact is amplified because it targets the administrator interface, providing attackers with elevated privileges and access to sensitive system functions. The attack vector requires minimal user interaction since the malicious code can be injected through legitimate administrative workflows, making detection and prevention particularly challenging.
The operational consequences of CVE-2013-5955 extend beyond simple script injection, as it can facilitate more sophisticated attacks within the Joomla installation through session manipulation. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of the PBBooking component's administrative functions, potentially leading to data breaches and service disruption. Security professionals should note that this flaw aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as attackers can leverage the XSS to execute arbitrary code within user browsers. The vulnerability also represents a failure in the principle of least privilege, as it grants unauthorized access to administrative functions through improper parameter handling.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-5955 should prioritize immediate patching of the PBBooking component to version 2.5 or later, which contains the necessary input validation fixes. Organizations should implement comprehensive input sanitization measures including proper HTML escaping and parameter validation for all user-supplied data within administrative interfaces. Network security controls such as web application firewalls should be configured to detect and block suspicious parameter patterns commonly associated with XSS attacks. Regular security audits of Joomla! extensions and core components are essential to identify similar vulnerabilities in other third-party software. Additionally, implementing content security policies and disabling unnecessary administrative functions can reduce the attack surface. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date software components and following secure coding practices that prevent injection flaws, particularly in administrative interfaces where elevated privileges are involved.