CVE-2025-23749 in mybb Last Topics Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 01/16/2025
Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) vulnerability in Mahdi Khaksar mybb Last Topics allows Stored XSS.This issue affects mybb Last Topics: from n/a through 1.0.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/10/2025
This vulnerability represents a critical security flaw in the myBB Last Topics plugin version 1.0 and earlier, where a cross-site request forgery condition enables stored cross-site scripting attacks. The vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of user-supplied input within the plugin's functionality, creating a pathway for malicious actors to inject persistent malicious code into the application's database. The flaw exists in the plugin's handling of user requests and input processing mechanisms, where proper csrf token validation is either absent or improperly implemented.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows an attacker to craft malicious requests that appear legitimate to the web application, leveraging the trust relationship between the user's browser and the targeted forum platform. When a victim visits a page containing malicious content or interacts with a crafted link, the stored xss payload executes within the victim's browser context, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or unauthorized administrative actions. The vulnerability's persistence stems from the stored nature of the xss attack vector, meaning the malicious code remains embedded in the application's database and executes whenever the affected page is loaded.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with the capability to manipulate forum content, gain elevated privileges, or establish persistent access to the platform. The attack surface includes forum administrators and regular users who may encounter malicious payloads through various forum activities, particularly in areas where plugin output is rendered without proper sanitization. This vulnerability undermines the fundamental security assumptions of the myBB platform, potentially compromising the integrity of user sessions and forum data.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing robust csrf token validation mechanisms throughout the plugin's request processing flow, ensuring that all state-changing operations require proper authentication tokens. The recommended approach includes enforcing strict input validation and output encoding for all user-supplied content, implementing proper session management controls, and conducting thorough security reviews of plugin code to identify and address similar vulnerabilities. Security practitioners should also consider implementing content security policies to limit the execution of malicious scripts and monitor for suspicious activities that may indicate exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-352 for cross-site request forgery and CWE-79 for cross-site scripting, representing a classic chaining of security weaknesses that amplifies the overall risk profile of the affected system. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under initial access and privilege escalation techniques, as it enables attackers to establish persistent access and potentially move laterally within the compromised forum environment.