CVE-2016-9410 in MyBB
Summary
by MITRE
MyBB (aka MyBulletinBoard) before 1.8.7 and MyBB Merge System before 1.8.7 might allow remote attackers to obtain sensitive database information via vectors involving templates.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/08/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-9410 affects MyBB bulletin board systems and MyBB Merge System versions prior to 1.8.7, representing a significant information disclosure flaw that could expose sensitive database credentials and structural information to remote attackers. This vulnerability resides within the template processing mechanisms of these systems, where improper handling of template variables and database connection details creates opportunities for malicious actors to extract confidential information. The flaw demonstrates characteristics consistent with CWE-200, which addresses improper exposure of sensitive information, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1213.002 for data from information repositories, indicating that attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to database configurations and connection parameters.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through template manipulation techniques that allow attackers to inject malicious code or access template variables that contain database connection strings, usernames, and password information. When MyBB processes templates containing improperly sanitized user input or when templates reference database connection parameters, the system fails to properly validate or escape these elements, creating pathways for information leakage. Attackers can craft specific template requests or manipulate existing template structures to trigger the exposure of database credentials, which may include database hostnames, port numbers, database names, and authentication credentials. This type of vulnerability represents a classic case of insufficient input validation and output encoding, where template systems fail to properly separate user-controllable data from system-critical information.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-9410 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the leaked database information could enable attackers to establish direct database connections, potentially leading to complete system compromise. Once attackers obtain database credentials, they can execute arbitrary SQL commands, modify or delete data, extract sensitive user information, and escalate privileges within the system. The vulnerability affects not only the bulletin board functionality but also undermines the fundamental security posture of the entire web application stack, as database credentials are often reused across multiple systems. Organizations running affected versions of MyBB face potential data breaches, unauthorized access to user accounts, and possible compliance violations depending on the nature of the data stored in the compromised databases.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-9410 primarily focus on immediate version upgrades to MyBB 1.8.7 or later, which contain patches addressing the template processing vulnerabilities. System administrators should also implement additional defensive measures including regular template audits, input validation enforcement, and monitoring for suspicious template modifications. The remediation process should include comprehensive security reviews of all template files and database connection handling mechanisms, ensuring that no user-controllable variables are directly exposed in template contexts that might reveal database information. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious template-related requests, and establish monitoring protocols to identify unauthorized template modifications or database access attempts. Security teams must ensure proper configuration management and regular vulnerability assessments to prevent similar issues in other components of the web application infrastructure.