CVE-2018-14575 in Trash Bin Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
Trash Bin plugin 1.1.3 for MyBB has cross-site scripting (XSS) via a thread subject and a cross-site request forgery (CSRF) via a post subject.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/28/2025
The Trash Bin plugin version 1.1.3 for MyBB presents a significant security vulnerability that combines both cross-site scripting and cross-site request forgery flaws, creating a dangerous attack surface for forum administrators and users. This vulnerability exists within the plugin's handling of user input, specifically when processing thread subjects and post subjects, which are fundamental components of any bulletin board system. The plugin's failure to properly sanitize and validate user-supplied data creates opportunities for malicious actors to exploit these weaknesses in ways that can compromise both user sessions and forum integrity.
The cross-site scripting vulnerability stems from the plugin's insufficient input validation when processing thread subjects, allowing attackers to inject malicious scripts that execute in the context of other users' browsers. This type of vulnerability is classified as CWE-79, which represents one of the most prevalent and dangerous web application security flaws. When users view affected threads, their browsers execute the injected malicious code, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites. The CSRF vulnerability in the post subject handling component allows attackers to manipulate forum functionality without user consent, enabling unauthorized actions such as deleting posts, modifying content, or creating malicious threads. These combined weaknesses create a particularly dangerous scenario where attackers can both observe and manipulate forum data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data corruption, as it can lead to complete compromise of user accounts and forum administration capabilities. Attackers leveraging these flaws can potentially escalate privileges, steal administrator credentials, or use the forum as a platform for distributing malware to other users. The vulnerability affects all users who interact with threads or posts processed by the Trash Bin plugin, making it a widespread concern across any MyBB installation using this specific plugin version. The exploitation requires minimal technical skill and can be automated, making it particularly dangerous in environments where forum administrators may not be actively monitoring for such issues.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate plugin updates to versions that address these vulnerabilities, as well as implementing comprehensive input sanitization measures. Organizations should deploy web application firewalls with XSS protection rules and establish proper content security policies to prevent script execution. Regular security audits of third-party plugins and strict validation of all user inputs are essential practices that can prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under T1059 for command and scripting interpreter and T1566 for credential access through social engineering, highlighting the multi-faceted nature of the threat. System administrators should also implement monitoring solutions to detect suspicious activities related to plugin usage and user behavior patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts.