Visual editor persistent Cross-site Scripting (XSS) in MyBB
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Network
- Privileges required
- None
- User interaction
- Required
- Attack complexity
- High
- Impact type
- Cross-site scripting
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- High · High · High
- Fix status
- Fixed
Attack profile from CVSS 3.1 · CNA. Fix status from CNA. Impact type from CWE-79.
Summary
MyBB is a free and open source forum software. Custom MyCode (BBCode) for the visual editor (_SCEditor_) doesn't escape input properly when rendering HTML, resulting in a DOM-based XSS vulnerability. This weakness can be exploited by pointing a victim to a page where the visual editor is active (e.g. as a post or Private Message) and operates on a maliciously crafted MyCode message. This may occur on pages where message content is pre-filled using a GET/POST parameter, or on reply pages where a previously saved malicious message is quoted. The impact is be mitigated when: 1. the visual editor is disabled globally (_Admin CP → Configuration → Settings → Clickable Smilies and BB Code: [Clickable MyCode Editor](https://github.com/mybb/mybb/blob/mybb_1836/install/resources/settings.xml#L2087-L2094)_ is set to _Off_), or 2. the visual editor is disabled for individual user accounts (_User CP → Your Profile → Edit Options_: _Show the MyCode formatting options on the posting pages_ checkbox is not checked). MyBB 1.8.37 resolves this issue with the commit `6dcaf0b4d`. Users are advised to upgrade. Users unable to upgrade may mitigate the impact without upgrading MyBB by changing the following setting (_Admin CP → Configuration → Settings_): - _Clickable Smilies and BB Code → [Clickable MyCode Editor](https://github.com/mybb/mybb/blob/mybb_1836/install/resources/settings.xml#L2087-L2094)_: _Off_. Similarly, individual MyBB forum users are able to disable the visual editor by diabling the account option (_User CP → Your Profile → Edit Options_) _Show the MyCode formatting options on the posting pages_.
Why it matters now
SSVC decision points
CISA ADP · SSVC 2.0.3
- Exploitation
- None
- Automatable
- No
- Technical impact
- Total
The decision (Track, Attend, Act) also depends on your mission and well-being impact; see CISA's SSVC guide.
Affected products
Remediation
- Fix · CNA mybb (mybb) Fixed in 1.8.37
Timeline
- 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2023-46251
References
More Mybb vulnerabilities
- TI-2011-04621 myBB 1.6.4 Backdoor Arbitrary Command Execution CVSS 4.0CRITICAL 10.0
- TI-2022-08548 Remote code execution in mybb CVSS 3.1HIGH 7.2
- TI-2023-21959 MyBB before 1.8.36 allows Code Injection by users with certain high privileges. CVSS 3.1HIGH 7.2
- TI-2022-18641 Mail settings' command parameter injection in mybb CVSS 3.1HIGH 7.2
- TI-2025-21092 An issue in MyBB 1.8.38 allows a remote attacker to obtain sensitive information via the… CVSS 3.1HIGH 7.6
- TI-2025-21091 An issue in MyBB 1.8.38 allows a remote attacker to obtain sensitive information via the… CVSS 3.1HIGH 7.6
Sources
This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences