CVE-2024-22491 in beetl-bbs
Summary
by MITRE • 01/16/2024
A Stored Cross Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in beetl-bbs 2.0 allows attackers to run arbitrary code via the post/save content parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/05/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-22491 represents a critical stored cross site scripting flaw within the beetl-bbs 2.0 bulletin board system. This vulnerability specifically affects the post/save content parameter, creating a persistent security weakness that enables attackers to inject malicious scripts into the application's content storage mechanism. The flaw resides in how the application processes and stores user input without adequate sanitization or validation, allowing malicious payloads to be permanently stored and subsequently executed whenever the affected content is rendered to other users. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which categorizes improper neutralization of input during web page generation, specifically targeting the storage and retrieval of user-supplied data.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker submits malicious script content through the post/save endpoint, which then gets stored in the application's database or storage layer. When other users view the affected posts, the stored malicious code executes within their browser context, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites. The stored nature of this XSS vulnerability makes it particularly dangerous as the malicious payload persists even after the initial attack vector is closed, allowing for prolonged exploitation and broader impact. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 which describes the use of malicious content in web applications to execute arbitrary code on victim systems.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-22491 extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to escalate privileges, steal sensitive user information, or establish persistent access points within the affected system. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of the bulletin board's user data, potentially compromising user sessions and personal information stored within the application. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to administrative functions, manipulate forum content, or create backdoor access points. The persistence of stored XSS makes it particularly challenging to remediate as all affected stored content must be identified and cleaned, requiring comprehensive database auditing and content review processes. Organizations utilizing beetl-bbs 2.0 should immediately implement input validation and output encoding measures, while also considering the implementation of web application firewalls to detect and prevent malicious script injection attempts.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include comprehensive input validation that filters and sanitizes all user-supplied content before storage, implementation of proper output encoding mechanisms that prevent script execution in web contexts, and regular security audits of stored content. The application should enforce strict content type validation and implement Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution capabilities. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing automated scanning tools to identify and remediate stored XSS vulnerabilities, while also establishing incident response procedures for rapid detection and mitigation of exploitation attempts. Security patches or updates from the software vendor should be applied immediately upon availability, as the vulnerability's stored nature makes it particularly dangerous for prolonged periods without proper remediation measures.