CVE-2018-18675 in GNUBOARD5
Summary
by MITRE
GNUBOARD5 5.3.1.9 has XSS that allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the "mobile board title contents" parameter, aka the adm/board_form_update.php bo_mobile_subject parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/19/2024
GNUBOARD5 version 5.3.1.9 contains a cross-site scripting vulnerability that enables remote attackers to inject malicious web scripts or HTML content through the mobile board title contents parameter. This vulnerability specifically affects the adm/board_form_update.php endpoint where the bo_mobile_subject parameter is processed without proper input validation or output encoding. The flaw resides in the application's handling of user-supplied data that is directly incorporated into web page content without adequate sanitization mechanisms. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious payloads in the mobile board title field, which then gets executed in the context of other users' browsers when they view the affected content.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic reflected cross-site scripting scenario where user input flows directly into the HTTP response without appropriate filtering or encoding. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-79 as a failure to sanitize user input before incorporating it into web pages, making it particularly dangerous in a content management system context where multiple users interact with shared data. This weakness allows attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript code in victim browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites. The attack vector requires no special privileges since it operates entirely through web-based interactions with the vulnerable application interface.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection as it provides attackers with persistent access to user sessions and potentially administrative capabilities within the GNUBOARD5 environment. When users view boards with maliciously crafted mobile titles, their browsers execute the injected scripts, creating a vector for more sophisticated attacks such as cookie theft or data exfiltration. The vulnerability affects the core functionality of board management where mobile-specific title content is stored and displayed, making it a critical weakness in the application's security posture. Organizations using this version of GNUBOARD5 face significant risk of unauthorized access and data compromise when this vulnerability remains unpatched.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate patching of the GNUBOARD5 application to version 5.3.1.10 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the XSS vulnerability. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms at the application level can prevent similar issues in the future. Security measures should include sanitizing all user inputs before storing or displaying them, implementing Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution, and conducting regular security audits of web applications. Organizations should also consider deploying web application firewalls to detect and block malicious payloads attempting to exploit this vulnerability. The remediation process should follow established security protocols including vulnerability assessment, patch management, and comprehensive testing to ensure the fix does not introduce regressions in application functionality. This vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions and implementing robust input validation practices as recommended by the ATT&CK framework for preventing web-based exploitation techniques.