CVE-2020-19048 : Security Advisory and Response

Cross Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in MyBB v1.8.20 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the "Title" field in the "Add New Forum" page.

Understanding CVE-2020-19048

This CVE involves a security issue in MyBB v1.8.20 that enables attackers to execute XSS attacks through a specific input field.

What is CVE-2020-19048?

Cross Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in MyBB v1.8.20 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the "Title" field found in the "Add New Forum" page by doing an authenticated POST HTTP request.

The Impact of CVE-2020-19048

Remote attackers can inject malicious scripts or HTML code into the affected web page.
This can lead to various attacks, including session hijacking, defacement, and data theft.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-19048

This section provides more in-depth technical information about the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability allows attackers to insert malicious scripts or HTML code through the "Title" field in the "Add New Forum" page.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: MyBB
Version: 1.8.20

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by sending an authenticated POST HTTP request to '/Upload/admin/index.php?module=forum-management&action=add'.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2020-19048 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update MyBB to a patched version that addresses the XSS vulnerability.
Implement input validation and output encoding to prevent XSS attacks.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor and audit web applications for security vulnerabilities.
Educate users on safe browsing practices and the risks of XSS attacks.

Patching and Updates

Apply security patches provided by MyBB promptly to mitigate the XSS vulnerability.