CVE-2014-2235 in Askbot
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Askbot before 0.7.49 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via vectors related to the question search form.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/07/2026
The CVE-2014-2235 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in the Askbot platform prior to version 0.7.49, exposing web applications to persistent security risks through user input handling mechanisms. This vulnerability specifically targets the question search form functionality within the Askbot community platform, which is widely used for hosting Q&A forums and knowledge management systems. The flaw enables remote attackers to inject malicious web scripts or HTML content that can execute in the context of other users' browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, data theft, or unauthorized actions performed on behalf of victims. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding practices within the search form processing logic, creating an exploitable entry point for malicious actors seeking to compromise user sessions or manipulate platform content.
The technical implementation of this XSS vulnerability occurs when user-provided input from the question search form is not properly sanitized or encoded before being rendered back to users. This failure in input validation creates a condition where attackers can craft malicious payloads that, when submitted through the search interface, are stored or processed in a manner that allows them to execute in the browser context of other users who view the affected content. The vulnerability manifests as a classic reflected XSS attack vector, though it may also exhibit characteristics of stored XSS depending on how the platform handles search result caching or display mechanisms. The flaw operates at the application layer and requires no special privileges to exploit, making it particularly dangerous for widely used community platforms where user-generated content is prevalent.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-2235 extends beyond simple script injection, potentially enabling sophisticated attack chains that could compromise entire user sessions or facilitate data exfiltration from vulnerable platforms. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to steal user authentication tokens, redirect victims to malicious domains, or inject content that manipulates the platform's functionality to their advantage. The vulnerability affects not only individual users but also the integrity of the entire platform, as compromised user sessions could lead to unauthorized modifications of content, manipulation of search results, or even complete platform takeover. Organizations running Askbot versions prior to 0.7.49 face significant risk exposure, particularly those hosting sensitive community forums or platforms where user trust is paramount to operational success.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-2235 require immediate implementation of input validation and output encoding measures to prevent malicious script execution. The primary solution involves upgrading to Askbot version 0.7.49 or later, which includes proper sanitization of user input and implementation of secure output encoding mechanisms. Organizations should also implement comprehensive input validation at multiple layers including client-side and server-side processing, employ Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution, and conduct regular security assessments of user input handling mechanisms. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, and its exploitation patterns correspond to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for script injection attacks. Security teams should also consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring for suspicious search query patterns that may indicate attempted exploitation of this vulnerability.