CVE-2018-25384 in Wikidforum
Summary
by MITRE • 05/29/2026
Wikidforum 2.20 contains a cross-site scripting vulnerability that allows authenticated attackers to inject malicious scripts by submitting crafted HTML in the reply_text parameter. Attackers can post comments containing JavaScript code through the rpc.php endpoint that executes in other users' browsers when viewing forum replies.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/30/2026
This cross-site scripting vulnerability in Wikidforum 2.20 represents a critical security flaw that undermines the integrity of user interactions within the platform. The vulnerability exists in the rpc.php endpoint where the reply_text parameter fails to properly sanitize user input, allowing authenticated attackers with valid forum accounts to inject malicious scripts. This weakness enables attackers to craft specially formatted HTML content that gets stored and subsequently executed in the browsers of other forum users who view the affected replies. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates within a legitimate forum environment where users trust the content they are viewing, making social engineering aspects more effective.
The technical implementation of this flaw aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting vulnerabilities in web applications. 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 authenticated nature of the attack means that attackers do not require special privileges beyond having a valid forum account, making the exploitation more accessible and harder to detect. The rpc.php endpoint serves as the primary attack vector where the vulnerability manifests, indicating that the application fails to implement proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms for user-generated content.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, potentially enabling sophisticated attacks within the forum environment. When users view forum replies containing malicious scripts, their browsers execute the injected code without proper security boundaries, creating opportunities for attackers to access session cookies, steal user credentials, or redirect users to phishing sites. The authenticated aspect of the vulnerability means that attackers can leverage their legitimate access to post malicious content that appears to originate from trusted users, complicating detection and response efforts. This type of vulnerability directly impacts the confidentiality and integrity of user data within the forum platform.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding measures throughout the application. The primary defense involves sanitizing all user input, particularly the reply_text parameter, by removing or encoding potentially dangerous HTML characters and JavaScript code. Implementing Content Security Policy headers can provide additional protection against script execution, while proper input validation at the rpc.php endpoint should filter out malicious content before storage. Organizations should also consider implementing rate limiting and monitoring for unusual posting patterns that might indicate automated attack activity. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving client-side code injection and credential access through browser-based attacks. Regular security testing and code reviews focusing on user input handling should be implemented to prevent similar vulnerabilities in future releases, ensuring that all user-generated content undergoes proper sanitization before being stored or displayed.