CVE-2023-41538
Published: 30 August 2023
Summary
CVE-2023-41538 is a medium-severity Cross-site Scripting (CWE-79) vulnerability in Phpjabbers Php Forum Script. Its CVSS base score is 6.1 (Medium).
Operationally, ranked in the top 5.8% of CVEs by exploit likelihood; it is not currently listed in the CISA KEV catalog; a public proof-of-concept is referenced.
Deeper analysis
phpjabbers PHP Forum Script 3.0 contains a reflected cross-site scripting vulnerability (CWE-79) that is triggered through the keyword parameter. The flaw received a CVSS 3.1 score of 6.1 with network attack vector, low complexity, no required privileges, and required user interaction, resulting in limited confidentiality and integrity impact under a changed scope.
An unauthenticated remote attacker can supply a crafted URL containing malicious JavaScript in the keyword parameter. When a victim follows the link, the script executes in the victim's browser context, enabling actions such as session token theft, page defacement, or redirection to attacker-controlled sites.
Public references consist of proof-of-concept repositories that demonstrate the injection but contain no vendor advisory, patch information, or official mitigation guidance.
The EPSS score rose from a low baseline to a recorded peak of 0.1661 before settling at 0.1282, indicating measurable post-disclosure exploitation interest that warrants monitoring.
EU & UK References
- 🇪🇺 ENISA EUVD: EUVD-2023-46038
Vulnerability details
phpjabbers PHP Forum Script 3.0 is vulnerable to Cross Site Scripting (XSS) via the keyword parameter.
- CWE(s)
Related Threats
No named actor attribution yet. ATT&CK technique mapping in progress for this CVE.
Affected Assets
Mitigating Controls
Likely Mitigating Controls AI
Per-CVE control mapping for this CVE has not run yet; the list below is derived from the weakness types (CWEs) cited in the NVD entry.
Penetration testing submits XSS payloads to web applications, detecting cross-site scripting flaws for subsequent remediation.
Validates web inputs to reject script-related content that could produce XSS.
Output validation against expected content can reject or sanitize script content in generated web pages, reducing XSS exploitability.