CVE-2013-7288 in MyBB
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the mycode_parse_video function in inc/class_parser.php in MyBB (aka MyBulletinBoard) before 1.6.12 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via vectors related to Yahoo video URLs.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/31/2022
The CVE-2013-7288 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the MyBB bulletin board software ecosystem, specifically targeting the mycode_parse_video function located in the inc/class_parser.php file. This vulnerability affects versions prior to 1.6.12 and enables remote attackers to execute malicious scripts through manipulated Yahoo video URLs, creating a significant security risk for forum administrators and users alike. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the video URL parsing functionality, allowing attackers to inject arbitrary HTML and JavaScript code that executes in the context of other users' browsers.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic XSS attack vector where the application fails to properly escape or validate user-supplied input before processing it as part of the HTML output generation. When users submit content containing Yahoo video URLs, the mycode_parse_video function processes these URLs without sufficient sanitization, creating opportunities for attackers to embed malicious payloads within the video embed code. This weakness operates under CWE-79 which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting vulnerabilities, where the application fails to validate or escape user input before incorporating it into dynamically generated web pages. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that MyBB forums often contain user-generated content, making the attack surface particularly broad.
The operational implications of this vulnerability extend beyond simple script injection, as successful exploitation could enable attackers to steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of users, or redirect victims to malicious websites. Attackers could craft specially formatted video URLs that, when processed by the vulnerable parser, would execute scripts in the context of legitimate forum users. This creates potential for account hijacking, data exfiltration, and the spread of malware through the forum community. The vulnerability affects not only the forum administrators but also regular users who may inadvertently click on malicious links within forum posts, making it a particularly dangerous flaw in community-driven platforms where trust is implicit.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-7288 primarily involve upgrading to MyBB version 1.6.12 or later, which includes proper input sanitization and validation mechanisms for video URL processing. Security practitioners should also implement additional defensive measures including web application firewall rules that monitor for suspicious URL patterns, regular security audits of user-generated content, and input validation at multiple layers of the application stack. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, specifically JavaScript execution, and T1566 for Phishing, as attackers often leverage such vulnerabilities to deliver malicious payloads through social engineering tactics within forum environments. Organizations should also consider implementing Content Security Policy headers to further limit the execution of unauthorized scripts, and conduct regular penetration testing to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of their web applications.