CVE-2024-52676 in Online Discussion Forum
Summary
by MITRE • 12/04/2024
Itsourcecode Online Discussion Forum Project v.1.0.0 is vulnerable to Cross Site Scripting (XSS) via /bcc_forum/members/home.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/22/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-52676 affects the Itsourcecode Online Discussion Forum Project version 1.0.0 and represents a critical cross site scripting weakness that undermines the security posture of the web application. This particular XSS vulnerability exists within the /bcc_forum/members/home.php endpoint, making it a prime target for malicious actors seeking to exploit user sessions and manipulate application behavior. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data before rendering it within the web application's HTML context.
Cross site scripting vulnerabilities fall under CWE-79 which specifically addresses the improper neutralization of input during web page generation, creating an environment where malicious scripts can be injected into web pages viewed by other users. The attack vector in this case is particularly concerning as it targets the home.php endpoint which likely serves as a central hub for authenticated users within the discussion forum. This means that successful exploitation could potentially allow attackers to hijack user sessions, steal sensitive information, or manipulate forum content to spread further malicious payloads. The vulnerability represents a direct violation of secure coding principles that mandate proper input sanitization and output encoding for all dynamic content.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection as it creates a persistent threat vector that can be leveraged for advanced persistent threats within the forum environment. An attacker could craft malicious payloads that execute in the context of authenticated users, potentially gaining access to private messages, user profiles, and discussion threads. The vulnerability's presence in the home.php endpoint suggests that it could affect all users who access this page, making it a high-value target for exploitation. According to ATT&CK framework technique T1531, this vulnerability enables credential access through malicious code execution, while technique T1566 demonstrates how such vulnerabilities can be used for initial access and privilege escalation within the application's user base.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-52676 must address both the immediate security flaw and establish comprehensive defensive measures to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in the future. The primary remediation involves implementing strict input validation and output encoding mechanisms that sanitize all user-supplied data before processing or rendering within the application context. This includes employing context-specific encoding for HTML, JavaScript, and URL parameters to prevent script injection regardless of the data source. Additionally, developers should implement Content Security Policy headers that restrict script execution and prevent unauthorized code injection. The application should also adopt a defense-in-depth approach by implementing proper session management, input sanitization libraries, and regular security code reviews to identify and address potential XSS vulnerabilities in other endpoints. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring systems to detect and prevent exploitation attempts against this specific vulnerability.