CVE-2018-18668 in GNUBOARD5
Summary
by MITRE
GNUBOARD5 before 5.3.2.0 has XSS that allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the "homepage title" parameter, aka the adm/config_form_update.php cf_title parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/19/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-18668 represents a cross-site scripting flaw in GNUBOARD5 versions prior to 5.3.2.0 that exposes the application to remote code execution through malicious script injection. This security weakness specifically targets the administrative configuration interface where the cf_title parameter in the adm/config_form_update.php endpoint fails to properly sanitize user input, creating an avenue for attackers to execute malicious payloads in the context of affected users' browsers.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which categorizes cross-site scripting as a critical web application security flaw occurring when applications fail to validate or escape user-supplied data before incorporating it into dynamic web content. The flaw manifests when administrators or authenticated users modify the homepage title configuration, allowing attackers to inject malicious HTML or JavaScript code that gets executed whenever the affected page is rendered. This type of vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, as it enables attackers to execute arbitrary code through web-based interfaces.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it provides attackers with the capability to perform session hijacking, deface websites, steal sensitive information, or redirect users to malicious domains. When exploited, the vulnerability allows remote attackers to establish persistent footholds within the affected web application environment, potentially leading to complete system compromise if the application has elevated privileges or if the attacker can leverage the vulnerability to escalate access rights. The vulnerability affects the core configuration management functionality of GNUBOARD5, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by attackers with minimal privileges required to access the administrative interface.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-18668 should focus on immediate patching of the GNUBOARD5 application to version 5.3.2.0 or later, which includes proper input validation and output sanitization mechanisms. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation measures that filter or escape all user-supplied data before processing, particularly for administrative configuration parameters. Additional protective measures include implementing content security policies that restrict script execution, conducting regular security audits of web applications, and establishing privileged access controls to limit administrative interface access. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of regular security assessments and vulnerability management programs that can identify and remediate similar flaws in web applications before they can be exploited by malicious actors in the wild.