Bugtraq mailing list archives

Security Advisory for ALL forum services with client-set images


From: James Bandara <jamez1 () gmail com>
Date: 22 Dec 2004 10:03:44 -0000



Hi,
Many widely used Bullitien Board Services and Forum Services allow for Clients to set images such as avatars and in 
their signature/post.

Images work by the clients browser going to that address, like it would for a normal web page except after downloading 
the file, it tries to open it as an image.

Many of these services if not all have command functions like delete a thread in the form of a hyperlink.

A user could copy one of these links to delete his own thread, edit it so the querystring is for another users post, 
and post it up as a link or avatar.

In effect if an admin sees the image or the original user sees it, it will instantly delete the post as its on the same 
site no extra login is needed.

To block this I suggest you edit your service to only accept links that end in image formats for images before the 
querystring.

I have tested this many times on a modified version of webwiz forums, yet delete is about the only thing that works.


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