Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
CVE-2018-25309 affects MyBB Recent threads 17.0, a MyBB plugin. A malicious forum thread title can store JavaScript that runs when users view the index page. This can expose user data or enable account actions in the victim’s browser context. Public exploit information exists, but the provided sources do not show active exploitation.
Executive priority
Treat as a high-priority application security issue if your forum uses MyBB Recent threads 17.0. The business risk is account compromise, data exposure, and reputational harm through malicious scripts shown to visitors. Prioritize inventory, vendor guidance, and disabling the plugin if no fix is confirmed.
Technical view
The issue is persistent cross-site scripting, CWE-79, in MyBB Recent threads 17.0. Crafted content in the thread subject parameter is rendered on the index page without sufficient neutralization, allowing arbitrary JavaScript execution for viewers. The supplied CVSS 3.1 score is 7.2: network exploitable, low complexity, no privileges, scope changed, low confidentiality and integrity impact.
Likely exposure
Exposure is limited to sites running the MyBB Recent threads plugin version 17.0, especially where untrusted users can create threads whose titles appear on the forum index. Organizations not using this plugin, or not using version 17.0, are not indicated as affected by the provided sources.
Exploitation context
Exploit-DB is listed as a public exploit reference, so technical details are publicly available. The CVE is not marked KEV in the provided bundle, and no cited source states active exploitation. Practical risk depends on whether attackers can create visible thread subjects and whether administrators or users view the affected index page.
Researcher notes
The source bundle names only MyBB Recent threads 17.0 as affected. No official patch details are included. The advisory and Exploit-DB references support public exploit availability, not confirmed active exploitation. Validate behavior carefully without weaponized payloads, and avoid expanding affected versions beyond the cited data.
Mitigation direction
- Inventory MyBB installations for the Recent threads plugin version 17.0.
- Check the plugin page and vendor guidance for updated versions or official fixes.
- Disable or remove the affected plugin if no trusted fix is available.
- Restrict who can create threads until remediation is complete.
- Review forum content for suspicious thread titles and unexpected script behavior.
Validation and detection
- Confirm whether MyBB Recent threads is installed and identify its version.
- Verify whether thread subjects are displayed on the index page by the plugin.
- Review rendered page source for unsafe, unsanitized subject output.
- Test safely in a non-production environment using benign XSS indicators only.
- Check access controls for who can create public threads.
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-2018-25309 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-44420CVE reference · exploit
- Product ReferenceCVE reference · product
- VulnCheck Advisory: MyBB Recent threads 17.0 Persistent Cross-Site ScriptingCVE 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.
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting')
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.