Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
This affects MyBB sites using the Downloads Plugin 2.0.3. A malicious download title can store script that runs when an administrator reviews or validates the submission. Business risk is mainly administrator-session compromise, content tampering, or data exposure inside the forum’s admin context.
Executive priority
Prioritize remediation for internet-facing MyBB forums using this plugin. The issue can target administrators through normal review workflows, but the source bundle does not confirm active exploitation or an official patch.
Technical view
CVE-2018-25248 is a persistent cross-site scripting issue in MyBB Downloads Plugin 2.0.3, associated with downloads.php and the download title parameter. The bundle reports CWE-79 and CVSS 3.1 score 7.2. The described trigger is administrator review of a submitted download title containing HTML/JavaScript.
Likely exposure
Exposure is limited to MyBB installations running the Downloads Plugin version 2.0.3, especially where users or members can submit downloads for administrator validation. No CPEs were provided in the source bundle.
Exploitation context
A public Exploit-DB reference exists, so proof-of-concept information is publicly available. The sources do not show CISA KEV listing or confirmed active exploitation. The described attack relies on stored script executing in an administrator’s browser during validation.
Researcher notes
Patch status is not established in the provided sources. The CVSS vector says PR:N/UI:N, while the description indicates member submission and administrator validation, so validate real-world workflow before scoring internally.
Mitigation direction
- Check the MyBB Downloads Plugin page and vendor guidance for fixed versions or official instructions.
- Disable or remove the plugin if it is not required.
- Restrict download submissions to trusted users until remediation is confirmed.
- Review pending and existing download titles for unexpected HTML or script content.
- Reduce administrator exposure by using least-privileged accounts for content moderation.
Validation and detection
- Inventory MyBB forums for the Downloads Plugin.
- Confirm whether version 2.0.3 is installed.
- Review who can submit new downloads.
- Inspect pending download records for suspicious markup in titles.
- Check web and admin logs for unusual download validation activity.
Public sources used
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context
These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.
ATT&CK lookup starting points
Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.
CWE-79: User-session and phishing behavior lookup
Client-side and session-facing weaknesses should be reviewed alongside initial-access and user-execution behaviors. Open the exact CWE lookup page first, then review the ATT&CK searches from that MITRE weakness context. This is a Glexia lookup hint, not an official ATT&CK mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2018-25248 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- High
- CVSS
- 7.2 (3.1)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N
CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5
These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.
CVSS vector scores
1 official scoreWe collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N3.92.7Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.1 score
7.2HighVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- ExploitDB-44400CVE reference · exploit
- Product ReferenceCVE reference · product
- VulnCheck Advisory: MyBB Downloads Plugin 2.0.3 Persistent XSS via downloads.phpCVE reference · third-party-advisory
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.