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MyBB
DevelopersChris Boulton, et al.[1]
Initial release2002 (2002)
Stable release1.8.38[2] Edit this on Wikidata (2024-04-30; 17 months ago) [±]
Repository
Written inPHP, MariaDB, MySQL (PostgreSQL and SQLite are also supported[3])
Size2.14 MB
Available inEnglish, German, Spanish, Vietnamese, Portuguese[4]
TypeForum software
Mailing list management software
LicenseGNU LGPL[5]
Websitemybb.com

MyBB, formerly MyBBoard and originally MyBulletinBoard, is a free and open-source forum software developed by the MyBB Group. It is written in PHP, supports MariaDB, MySQL, PostgreSQL and SQLite as database systems and, in addition, has database failover support.[3] It is available in multiple languages[4] and is licensed under the LGPL.[5] The software allows users to facilitate community driven interaction through a MyBB instance.

History and development

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MyBB 1.0 and 1.1

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Founded as DevBB in 2002 by Chris Boulton from a fork of XMB, the first public release (RC1) of MyBB was published on 10 December 2003. It wasn't until two years later, on 9 December 2005, that MyBB 1.0 was released.

On 9 March 2006, version 1.1 was released. The last version of this series was 1.1.8, a security update released on 20 August 2006.

MyBB 1.2

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On 2 September 2006, with a revised and rewritten code base and over 40 new features, MyBB 1.2 was released. Support for the 1.2 series officially ended on 1 June 2009, although security updates were available until 31 December 2009.[6]

The final version of the 1.2 series, 1.2.14, was a security and maintenance update published on 17 July 2008.[7] Several security patches were available in consequent security updates for users still using the 1.2 series.

MyBB 1.4

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After a long beta phase MyBB 1.4 was released on 2 August 2008 complete with over 70 new features, including a completely revised and redesigned Administration Control Panel (ACP).

On 12 October 2008, MyBB 1.4.2 was released. This version changed MyBB's license from proprietary to GNU GPL v3.[8] The change in license was driven from a request from KDE who, in a related announcement, launched their first web-based community using MyBB as an alternative to a mailinglist.

On 2 May 2009, due to time constraints, founder Chris Boulton left the day-to-day responsibilities to Dennis Tsang (previously the Support Team Manager) who took over as Product Manager of MyBB. Matt Rogowski would later take over Dennis' responsibilities as Support Team Manager.[9]

So far, much of MyBB's development happened internally on a closed cycle. After switching to an open source license, on 19 August 2009, the MyBB Group opened development access so that users had access to the official bugtracker and read access to the subversion repository.[10]

The final version in the 1.4 series was 1.4.16, released as a security update on 17 April 2011.[11] Support for the series ended on 1 July 2011 for both maintenance and security releases.[12]

MyBB 1.6

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On 3 August 2010, on the second anniversary of MyBB 1.4's release, MyBB 1.6 was released with over 40 new features and included many tweaks, fixes and performance optimizations. The 1.6 series is distributed under the GNU LGPL v3[5] and requires at least PHP 5.1.[13]

During the 1.6 series, several senior members of the MyBB Group changed positions. On 3 October 2010, Tim Bell was promoted to Product Manager with responsibilities of running the day-to-day operations of MyBB as well as the marketing aspect of the MyBB product. Dennis Tsang took a position as Technical Advisor, helping with software design and development of MyBB.

The old MyBB logo

On 5 December 2010 Ryan Gordon, the lead developer of MyBB for the past five years, resigned to pursue new challenges. As a result, Tom Moore took over Ryan's responsibilities for development and Dylan M took over management of the MyBB Merge System.

MyBB 1.6.4, released 26 July 2011, was one of the largest MyBB updates and the first release in MyBB's history that required all core files to be replaced due to errors in previous releases of 1.6. It was also the first release to include feature changes which are normally reserved for major point (feature) releases, but was marred upon discovery that the release had been contaminated during a MyBB server breach with dangerous code that could be used to exploit forum installations running 1.6.4.[14] The step to include new feature updates was taken to extend the life of the 1.6 series while MyBB's next series, MyBB 2.0, was being developed.

On 25 November 2011, MyBB 1.6.5 was released. This version included over 10 new feature updates, including reCAPTCHA support and advancements to prevent spam users.[15]

On 10 February 2012, MyBB 1.6.6 was released as a security update. It fixed 14 low-risk vulnerabilities and fixed an issue allowing for the import of a non-CSS stylesheet. MyBB also fixed a bug in 1.6.5 where announcements would disappear.[16] On 14 February 2012, the MyBB Group announced that MyBB 1.6.6 was originally released with development code unintentionally included.[17]

On March 31, 2012, MyBB 1.6.7 was released, fixing over 70 issues, and introducing five feature updates. It fixed four SQL Injection vulnerabilities (low risk), an XSS vulnerability, and a path disclosure issue. The feature updates included wider display of Forum Rules, Custom Moderator Tool permissions, an override permission for sending an email to a user who has ignored you, and the ability for a user to log in with their email address.[18]

On May 27, 2012, MyBB 1.6.8 was released. It was a general maintenance release and fixes over 40 reported issues. To provide support for EU users cookies tracking forums or threads that have been read by guests are now session cookies. The information held within these cookies will be destroyed when the user's browser is closed.[19]

MyBB 1.8

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The new MyBB Logo, used from MyBB 1.8.0 onwards.

The MyBB Team said many times that MyBB would be jumping directly from MyBB 1.6 to 2.0. However, on 1 April 2012, the MyBB group announced that there would in fact be a MyBB 1.8.[18] Many considered this to be an April Fool's joke. Then, on 3 April 2012, another blog post was released saying that "it was no April Fool".[20] MyBB 1.8 will feature a new default theme based on MyBB lead designer Justin S.'s Apart theme series. A brand new feature to do with themes was announced:

[Attachable base colors] allow you to create colours to which you can attach stylesheets (just like you can attach stylesheets to pages). You can also set a display order for all your stylesheets so that they can override styles. Together, the changes mean you can add a theme with as many custom colours as you want. Using the parent/child theme structure that already exists in 1.x you can restrict or allow certain usergroups to use these colours and, as they inherit the main stylesheets, they're very easy to manage. So, there is no longer the need to install a dozen different themes just for a different colour header.

Tom Moore, MyBB lead developer[20]

The post went on to say that MyBB's default JavaScript library would be changed to the more popular jQuery from the current Prototype JavaScript Framework. A new "trash can" soft delete feature was also announced that allows deleted posts to be recovered in the Moderator Control Panel. It was also mentioned that instead of releasing an official anti-spam plugin as planned called Spam Ninja, the MyBB Team would be added many new anti-spam features directly to the MyBB core.

The MyBB Team also announced that the development SVN repository would be moving from their own dev site at dev.mybb.com to GitHub. The GitHub repository was opened to the public on January 23, 2013.[21] All open issues on the development site were moved to GitHub on March 3, 2014.[22]

On September 1, 2014, MyBB 1.8 was released with over 24 new features and many enhancements. These changes include: a new theme (for both the front-end forum and back-end Admin CP), IPv6 features, soft delete and the much anticipated change of JavaScript library from Prototype to the more popular jQuery. The release also saw an updated website design and the implementation of the new logo and brand.[23]

Branding changes

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On April 22, 2011, the MyBB Group announced that they were looking for a "creative doodler"[24] to create a mascot for MyBB. Mike Creuzer, of Audentio Design, was chosen for the job. The new MyBB mascot and logo were officially announced on January 12, 2012.[25] A forum discussion was created to propose names for the mascot. The top ten names were placed into a poll, and the community voted and decided upon the name "Bolt",[18] representing MyBB founder Chris Boulton and the speediness and ease of use MyBB has.

MyBB 1.9

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After a community vote, the development of MyBB 2.0 was put on hold and the development shifted to smaller 1.x updates that can be rolled out in a quicker fashion, starting with 1.9.[26] 1.9 will feature a responsive theme written with the Twig template system, replace the current editor with TinyMCE and introducing the Swiftmailer mail handler. Some customization abilities will be added to the admin control panel. In January 2018 lead developer Euan announced a beta version of MyBB 1.9 for the first quarter of 2018.[27] In August 2019 no updated release date was announced by the development team.[28] As of January 2023, the beta of MyBB 1.9 had not yet been released. In July 2024, MyBB announced its first development milestone for MyBB 1.9, documenting upcoming changes and instructions for setting up a MyBB 1.9 development environment.[29]

MyBB 2.0

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The next major release of MyBB will be 2.0, targeted for a release within MyBB's typical release cycle. It will be rewritten from scratch in a MVC method, using the Laravel PHP web application framework. The GitHub development repository will be opened to the public for contributions and an alpha download released once the new code-base becomes "working software with all the basics".[30] The development of MyBB 2.0 was put on hold in June 2018.

Donation drive

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On 27 April 2010, the MyBB Group started a donation drive in an effort to purchase the mybb.com domain name. The Group needed to raise $5,000 from community donations for the transfer, and with founder Chris Boulton and community member Jesse Labrocca personally providing $1,000, that left $3,000 from the community.[31]

Just a month later, on 27 May 2010, MyBB.com was transferred and in use across the site.[32]

Features

[edit]

Database support

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MyBB supports multiple database engines. It supports MariaDB, MySQL, PgSQL, and SQLite v2 and v3.[3] MyBB also supports database failover support so that if one database fails, MyBB will load the next database on the list. Master and slave databases are also configurable.

Plugins and themes

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MyBB claims to be extensible and readily customizable. MyBB plugins are written in PHP and utilize hooking techniques. Unlike other software like WordPress, plugins need to be uploaded via FTP as uploading from the admin panel is not supported without a plugin.[33] However, this is a considerable advantage over the old extension method used by phpBB where all modifications are core file edits.

MyBB Themes are written inside the Admin Control Panel, and exported as an XML file. The XML file includes all modified MyBB templates and CSS stylesheets, which is redistributed alongside any extra resources (such as images) in a Zip file.

There are over 2,400 plugins and themes on the MyBB mods website, some of which add additional features such as alerts, shoutboxes, profile features, user tagging, and many other extensions. Many other MyBB resource sites, such as MyBBCentral or MyBB-Plugins also offer exclusive, and sometimes paid, plugins and themes.[34]

Security

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MyBB has a relatively low-risk security record. In August 2008, MyBB performed a security audit (provided by GulfTech) which led to the release of MyBB 1.4.2 on 17 September 2008.[35]

The MyBB Group put security first, giving it the highest priority, to the extent that the MyBB website has a "Security Hall of Fame" to recognise those who responsibly disclose vulnerabilities in the software.[36]

In October 2011, MyBB found 3rd party code had contaminated the 1.6.4 release files.[37] This code could be exploited to open a security vulnerability on a forum running the affected version. It was later found that a security flaw in the custom CMS mybb.com uses to power its website allowed a malicious user to alter the download files to include their own code.[14]

As a result of the intrusion, the MyBB Group now hosts downloads via GitHub to ensure the security of a release.[38] A Forum Security section on the MyBB Community Forums opened in 2011 to provide support for users who have been a victim of an exploit.

Throughout 2011, automated registrations caused forum spam in many MyBB powered forums. In MyBB 1.6.5, released on 25 November 2011, additional methods were added to help administrators locate spam users and manage them effectively as well as providing standard reCAPTCHA support.

In May 2012, hacker group UGNazi gained unauthorized control over the MyBB.com domain name using a social engineering technique. The attack appears to have been motivated by the use of the MyBB software by a third-party website, HackForums.[39][40]

Merge System

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The MyBB Merge System was first developed in early 2007. MyBB Merge System 1.6 allows conversions from Invision Power Board, phpBB, Simple Machines Forum, PunBB, bbPress, or vBulletin to MyBB, or merge MyBB installations together.[41] MyBB Merge System 1.8 allows conversions from bbPress version 2.5, FluxBB, Invision Power Board versions 3 and 4 (Pre Release Version), MyBB version 1.8 (merge), phpBB version 3, SMF versions 1.1 and 2.0, PunBB version 1.2, Vanilla, vBulletin versions 3 and 4, WoltLab Burning Board versions 3, 4 and Lite 2, XenForo.[42]

Reviews

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MyBB had a 9.6 out of ten review at forum-software.org[43] and was named the best free forum software of 2008,[44] 2010,[45] 2011[46] and 2012[47] by the same site. It has been featured in magazines such as The H[48] and runs several sizeable forums on the web, including HackForums, CSNbbs, and several EA Sports boards.[49][50]

See also

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References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

MyBB

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
MyBB, formerly MyBBoard and originally MyBulletinBoard, is a free and open-source forum software package written in , designed to power online discussion communities with features for user management, threaded conversations, and customizable interfaces. It supports databases including , , , and , and is licensed under Lesser version 3 (LGPL v3), allowing modification and distribution while requiring source code availability for derivative works. Founded by Chris Boulton in 2002 as a successor to the DevBB project—a of the earlier XMB software—MyBB emerged from efforts to create a more intuitive and efficient . The first public version, MyBB 1.0, was released on December 9, 2005, following years of development and testing by a volunteer team. Since its inception, MyBB has been maintained by the MyBB Group, a community-driven organization that emphasizes extensibility and performance. Key features include an advanced plugin system for adding functionality such as spam protection, private messaging, and tools; a built-in template and theme editor for visual customization; and a merge system that allows seamless importation from other forum platforms like or . It also incorporates caching support for eAccelerator, , memcached, and X-Cache to ensure high performance even on large-scale forums. As of 2025, the latest stable release is in the 1.8 series, with ongoing development toward version 1.9 focusing on modern compatibility, improved extension management, and enhanced security features like two-factor authentication. MyBB powers thousands of active communities worldwide, valued for its balance of core functionality and ease of extension without requiring advanced coding skills.

History and Development

Origins and Early Versions

MyBB originated in 2002 when Chris Boulton forked the XMB forum software, initially developing it under the name MyBulletinBoard as a response to internal team changes in the XMB project. After other developers like web34rk and b0ndman departed the XMB team, Boulton led the effort to create a more robust alternative, starting with a temporary fork called DevBB before building MyBulletinBoard from a modified XMB codebase. This early work laid the foundation for a PHP-based forum system designed for ease of use and extensibility, targeting community-driven online discussions. The project was managed by the newly formed MyBB Group, a volunteer team coordinated by Boulton, which emphasized collaborative development from the outset. In 2004, the software was renamed to MyBBoard to better align with its growing capabilities beyond simple bulletin boards. By 2006, it underwent another rebranding to MyBB, reflecting its evolution into a full-featured forum platform suitable for diverse online communities. The first stable release, MyBB 1.0, arrived on December 9, 2005, introducing a core structure with database support, basic user registration, threading, and administrative tools for forum management. This version marked the public debut, focusing on stability and a clean interface while establishing the modular architecture that would define future iterations. The MyBB 1.1 series, launched in 2006 with version 1.1.0 on March 9, built on the initial foundation by incorporating security enhancements and the introduction of initial plugin hooks to allow third-party extensions without core modifications. The series culminated in 1.1.8 on August 30, 2006, which addressed vulnerabilities and refined backend processes for better performance. Following closely, MyBB 1.2 debuted on September 2, 2006, delivering over 40 enhancements such as revamped template systems for easier customization, granular user permissions for forums and groups, and improved capabilities. The 1.2 series concluded with 1.2.14 on July 18, 2008, incorporating ongoing security patches and minor optimizations. MyBB 1.4, released on August 3, 2008, represented a significant with over 70 new features, including advanced search functionalities for keyword and author queries, integrated calendar tools for event tracking, and enhanced posting options like attachments and private messaging. On October 12, 2008, the project switched to the GNU General Public License version 3 (GPL v3), transitioning from a proprietary model to fully open-source distribution to foster greater community contributions and transparency. The series' final update, 1.4.16, came on April 17, 2011, primarily fixing security issues to maintain compatibility for legacy installations. These early versions solidified MyBB's reputation for reliability and user-centric design under the MyBB Group's stewardship.

Major Releases (1.4 to 1.8)

The MyBB 1.6 series marked a significant maturation in the software's development, released on August 3, 2010, introducing over 40 new features that enhanced and . Key improvements included enhanced private messaging with better attachment handling and threading options, as well as integrated for registration to combat automated spam. This release also shifted the licensing to the GNU Lesser General Public License version 3 (LGPL v3), promoting greater openness while allowing integration with proprietary extensions, and raised the minimum requirement to version 5.1 for improved compatibility and security. Subsequent maintenance releases for the 1.6 series addressed evolving needs, such as MyBB 1.6.4 on July 26, 2011, which included a global plugin toggle, patches for low- and high-risk vulnerabilities, and optimizations for caching and thread prefixes to bolster performance against spam and stability issues. Later, MyBB 1.6.7, released on March 31, 2012, focused on stability by resolving over 70 reported bugs and five low-risk vulnerabilities, including protections in the admin control panel and fixes. Support for the preceding 1.4 series concluded on July 1, 2011, shortly after the 1.6 rollout, ensuring users transitioned to the updated version amid overlapping maintenance periods. The 1.6 series itself reached end-of-life on October 1, 2015, after extensive patching. Advancing to the 1.8 series, MyBB 1.8 was released on , 2014, delivering more than 24 major features alongside over 100 enhancements in security, performance, and usability. Notable additions encompassed full support for modern network compatibility, integration of the library to replace outdated for dynamic front-end interactions, soft delete functionality allowing reversible post removal without permanent , and a completely redesigned default theme featuring CSS-based buttons, sprite icons, and icon set for a cleaner, more contemporary interface. This period also saw branding evolution to align with the software's growth, including the introduction of a new mascot named Bolt and an updated in , which replaced the previous speech bubble design with a modern, strength-oriented visual identity; these changes were fully incorporated into the 1.8 default theme and color scheme for a refreshed aesthetic. contributions flourished between 2010 and 2014, with the plugin ecosystem expanding through active developer participation on the official forums, enabling thousands of custom extensions that extended core capabilities like spam prevention and user management.

Recent Updates and 1.9 Development

The MyBB 1.8 series has continued to receive regular security and maintenance updates through 2025 to ensure stability and compatibility for existing installations. Key releases include version 1.8.37 on November 4, 2023, which addressed persistent cross-site scripting vulnerabilities in the visual editor (CVE-2023-46251) and Admin Control Panel themes (CVE-2023-45556), while improving compatibility with recent PHP versions and enhancing mailing configurations. Subsequent updates, such as 1.8.38 on April 30, 2024, fixed server-side request forgery issues (CVE-2024-23336) and improper .htaccess handling in backups (CVE-2024-23335), along with refinements to mail handling in php.php. The most recent, 1.8.39 on June 2, 2025, resolved upgrade process local file inclusion flaws (CVE-2025-48940) and thread title disclosure in search results (CVE-2025-48941), focusing on validation improvements during upgrades. Following community feedback in 2018, the MyBB development team shifted focus from the ambitious MyBB rewrite to incremental 1.x updates, formally announcing this direction on , 2018, with MyBB 1.9 as the next major iteration. This pivot aimed to deliver modern enhancements more rapidly without a full codebase overhaul, prioritizing user needs for responsive design and improved tools. MyBB 1.9 development emphasizes modernization while maintaining , introducing a responsive default theme powered by the Twig templating engine for better mobile support and theme extensibility. The editor will upgrade to for enhanced rich text handling, offering improved user experience over the 1.8 series' SCEditor. Email functionality will integrate SwiftMailer for more robust mailing system management. A key was announced on July 3, 2024, outlining progress on the view system, extension handling, and dependency management, with beta testing planned to follow initial implementations. Post-1.8 enhancements and bug fixes are managed through , where the development branch supports ongoing contributions for stability and minor features, ensuring the 1.8 series remains secure alongside 1.9 progress.

Future Plans and Funding

In 2015, the MyBB team announced MyBB 2.0 as a complete ground-up rewrite utilizing the 5.0 framework and a model-view-controller (MVC) to improve , , and overall compared to prior versions. Development progressed through pre-alpha stages with public repositories made available in December of that year, but the project faced delays due to the extensive scope of the overhaul. By June 2018, official development on MyBB was paused indefinitely in response to feedback emphasizing the need for stability and quicker feature rollouts over a prolonged full rewrite that could span years. This shift directed resources toward incremental enhancements in the 1.x series, with MyBB 1.9 positioned as an interim modernization effort that could potentially pave the way for reviving concepts in the future. As of November 2025, no confirmed release date exists for MyBB , and the project remains on hold while the team focuses on sustaining the current branch. MyBB's financial sustainability has historically depended on community support, exemplified by a 2010 donation drive launched in April that raised approximately $3,000 to purchase the mybb.com domain from its previous owner, thereby establishing independent official hosting and branding free from reliance on the prior mybboard.net address. The MyBB Group operates as a not-for-profit (FOSS) project, funding ongoing enhancements through voluntary individual contributions, monthly backer pledges, and corporate sponsorships managed via Open Collective to cover hosting, development tools, and operational expenses. This model ensures long-term viability without commercial pressures, allowing the volunteer-driven team to prioritize user needs and stability in future updates.

Core Features

User Management and Interface

MyBB provides robust tools for user registration and profile management, allowing administrators to create customizable user groups with granular permissions. New users can register via a straightforward form that collects essential details such as username, , and , with options for verification to prevent spam accounts. Once registered, users access editable profiles where they can update personal information, including display names, time zones, and signature blocks for forum posts. User groups, such as guests, members, administrators, and moderators, enable ; for instance, moderator roles can be assigned specific permissions like editing posts or banning users, while private forums restrict visibility to designated groups only. The platform's interface centers on a default theme that emphasizes , featuring intuitive forum through a hierarchical board index with categories, sub-forums, and threaded discussions. Search functionality is integrated prominently, supporting advanced queries by keywords, authors, or date ranges to help users locate content efficiently. Later versions, particularly from 1.8 onward, incorporate responsive elements that adapt layouts to various screen sizes, ensuring compatibility with desktops, tablets, and smartphones without requiring additional plugins. MyBB includes a built-in private messaging system that facilitates direct communication between users, with features for sending, receiving, and organizing messages in folders, as well as blocking unwanted contacts. Avatar support allows users to upload or link custom images to personalize their profiles, displayed alongside posts and in member lists. The system also supports integration points for user mechanisms, such as karma-like plugins that enable voting on posts to build user standing, though these are optional extensions rather than core features. Accessibility is enhanced through multilingual support, with official translations available for over 50 languages, allowing forums to cater to global audiences by switching languages via user preferences. Mobile-friendly layouts were notably improved in the 1.8 release, introducing fluid grids and touch-optimized navigation to reduce friction on handheld devices.

Posting and Moderation Tools

MyBB provides robust tools for creating and managing forum content, enabling users to initiate discussions through threads and posts while incorporating and interactive elements. Thread creation begins with entering a subject and message in the posting interface, where users can format text using MyCode, MyBB's of for adding elements like bold, italics, links, images, and lists to enhance readability and engagement. Attachments allow users to upload files such as images, documents, or archives directly within posts or threads, with configurable size limits and file type restrictions managed via the admin control panel to ensure compatibility and security. Polls extend posting capabilities by letting users attach voting options to new threads, where participants select from predefined choices and view real-time results, fostering community interaction on topics like preferences or decisions. Moderation tools in MyBB empower administrators and moderators to maintain forum quality through efficient content oversight. Post editing logs record changes made by moderators, including details of modifications to threads or replies, which are accessible via the moderator log section for auditing purposes. Inline moderation supports mass actions, such as moving multiple selected posts or threads to different forums or deleting them in bulk from the thread list or post interface, streamlining administrative workflows. Introduced in version 1.8, soft deletes mark content as hidden rather than permanently removing it, allowing recovery from a dedicated trash area in the moderator control panel while preserving the forum's history. To combat spam, MyBB integrates anti-spam measures directly into the posting and registration processes. challenges, including visible image verification or hidden fields to detect bots, can be enabled for user registrations and post submissions, requiring human validation before content is accepted. Flood control settings prevent rapid successive posts by enforcing a configurable time interval—such as 15 seconds—between submissions, adjustable globally or per user group to deter automated abuse without overly restricting legitimate users. The feature integrates seamlessly with posting tools, allowing users to create events tied to threads for scheduling, such as announcements for meetings or holidays, with options for ranged or repeating occurrences across multiple calendars. User permissions, defined in group settings, determine access to these posting and functions, ensuring appropriate control levels for different roles.

Database and Performance Support

MyBB natively supports and as its primary database backends, alongside and for broader compatibility. The software requires MariaDB version 5.1 or higher, 5.0 or higher, 8.1 or higher, and 3 or higher to ensure stable operation. Additionally, MyBB includes built-in database support, allowing the system to automatically switch to a secondary database if the primary one becomes unavailable, which enhances reliability for high-traffic forums. To optimize query performance and reduce database load, MyBB employs caching mechanisms that store frequently accessed data outside the primary database. The default datacache uses the database itself, but administrators can configure alternatives such as file-based caching in the writable cache/ directory or Memcached for distributed environments. Other options include Memcache, APCu (introduced in MyBB 1.8.23), and Redis, each selectable via the inc/config.php file to suit server resources and scalability needs. MyBB's PHP requirements have evolved across versions to balance compatibility with performance improvements. The 1.6 series mandates 5.1.0 or higher with the XML extension, while the 1.8 series raises this to 5.2 or higher to leverage enhanced language features. Later updates in the 1.8 series, such as version 1.8.38, maintain compatibility with modern versions up to 8.2 while incorporating tweaks for large-scale forums. Performance enhancements in the 1.8 series include improved functionality, enabling better handling of addresses for user sessions and IP tracking in IPv6-enabled networks. These optimizations, combined with caching, support efficient operation on forums with substantial user bases. Integrated backup and restore tools are accessible directly through the MyBB Admin Control Panel under Tools & Maintenance, allowing administrators to generate full database backups in formats like plain text or compressed files, which can be stored on the server or downloaded. Restoration follows a similar process, importing backups via the panel or compatible tools like phpMyAdmin, ensuring quick recovery without external dependencies.

Customization and Extensibility

Plugins System

MyBB's plugin system employs a hook-based architecture that allows developers to extend core functionality modularly without altering the source code. Plugins consist of custom functions registered to specific hooks—designated points in the MyBB where code execution can be intercepted and modified. This enables seamless integration for adding features like user management enhancements or content processing. Upon activation, plugins are loaded at the start of each page, ensuring efficient execution only when needed. The has developed over 1,400 plugins hosted on the MyBB Extend repository, covering extensions such as SEO optimization via meta tags and URL rewriting, social logins supporting networks like and , and analytics tools for tracking user engagement. For instance, the Google SEO plugin implements guidelines from best practices to improve forum visibility, while the Social Login plugin facilitates registration and across more than 40 social platforms. These plugins leverage hooks to inject functionality, such as modifying post data or admin interfaces, without core file changes. Installation and management occur through the Admin Control Panel under Configuration > Plugins, where administrators upload files to the inc/plugins/ directory and any accompanying XML files for metadata. The system performs compatibility checks against the plugin's declared MyBB version codes—such as "1800" for 1.8.0 or wildcards like "18*" for all 1.8.x releases—preventing of mismatched versions. invokes the plugin's _activate() function, which may alter templates or add navigation items, while deactivation reverses these changes without data loss; full uninstallation runs _uninstall() to remove database elements like custom tables. Development adheres to guidelines requiring for procedural logic and queries for persistent storage, with all changes designed to be reversible. Essential functions include _info() for providing plugin details like name and version, _install() and _uninstall() for handling via queries like CREATE TABLE or DROP TABLE, and hook registration using $plugins->add_hook('hook_name', 'my_function') to target events such as post_insert for post-processing. An illustrative example is the NewPoints plugin, which uses hooks to track user actions—like posting or logging in—and awards virtual currency points stored in a dedicated table, enabling features such as a points shop. The MyBB Extend repository at community.mybb.com/mods.php centralizes plugin distribution, with each entry including version histories to confirm compatibility for MyBB 1.8 and subsequent releases. Developers assign globally unique identifiers (GUIDs) for automatic update checks in the Admin Control Panel, ensuring plugins remain current with core updates. Plugins can complement themes by adding backend logic that enhances visual elements, such as dynamic content loading.

Themes and Templates

MyBB employs a template-based system for customizing the forum's appearance, where templates consist of editable snippets combined with CSS structures to define the layout and styling. These templates are stored in the database rather than the filesystem, allowing administrators to modify them directly through the Admin Control Panel without altering core files. Themes in MyBB are packaged as XML files that encapsulate both the templates and associated stylesheets, enabling easy import and export for distribution or backups. The default theme received significant updates in MyBB 1.8, introducing a refreshed design alongside a shift from PrototypeJS to for enhanced functionality and improved compatibility with modern web standards. This update modernized the core styling, making it more adaptable for customizations while maintaining for existing themes through template adjustments. Administrators can further refine themes via the Admin Control Panel's theme management interface, which supports editing color schemes—such as base colors for elements like headers and links—and font customizations, including family, size, weight, and style options directly in the stylesheet editor. The MyBB community provides an extensive library of user-contributed themes, including numerous responsive designs optimized for mobile devices and varying screen sizes, which can be downloaded and installed via the official mods repository. To facilitate safe customizations and preserve compatibility during core updates, MyBB supports child themes that inherit templates and styles from a parent theme, allowing modifications without overwriting the original files. This parent-child relationship ensures that updates to the parent theme propagate to children unless explicitly overridden. Looking ahead, MyBB 1.9 introduces a transition to the Twig templating engine, shifting templates to filesystem-based storage for more efficient rendering and enhanced by reducing the risk of injection vulnerabilities in dynamic content. This overhaul, combined with for dependency management, aims to streamline theme development and improve performance in rendering complex layouts. The new system maintains compatibility with existing themes through conversion tools while enabling advanced features like inheritance resolution and SCSS compilation for stylesheets.

API and Integration Options

MyBB provides integration options primarily through its robust plugin system, which leverages hooks and classes to enable third-party developers to create custom APIs and connect with external services. While the core software does not include a built-in RESTful , plugins such as the Public API and MyBB-RESTful-API-System extend MyBB 1.8 and later versions with RESTful endpoints, allowing mobile applications and external tools to access forum data like , threads, and posts via HTTP requests. These plugins support methods including API keys, facilitating secure interactions for read and write operations. Integrations with analytics, , and payment services are commonly achieved via dedicated plugins; for instance, the 4 plugin embeds tracking scripts into forum pages for performance monitoring, while plugins like NewPoints handle payment gateways such as for monetization features. sharing is supported through plugins that add buttons for platforms like and , streamlining content distribution. OAuth support for user authentication is implemented via plugins such as Isango, which enables with providers including , , , and using OAuth 2.0 protocols, reducing login friction for users across services. Developers can create custom APIs by utilizing MyBB's PHP-based plugin framework, with comprehensive on hooks, events, and class extensions available in the official development standards. Notable examples include the MyBB LDAP Authentication plugin for enterprise logins via LDAP servers, allowing seamless user provisioning from directory services, and built-in syndication for forum threads and announcements, which enables content syndication to external aggregators without additional setup. Database access via queries underpins these API data retrievals, ensuring efficient handling of forum resources.

Security and Reliability

Built-in Security Features

MyBB incorporates several built-in mechanisms to safeguard against common web vulnerabilities, emphasizing proactive defenses in its core architecture. Input sanitization is a foundational feature, where user-supplied data is processed through PHP's built-in escaping functions and custom filters to mitigate risks like and (XSS). For instance, MyBB disables HTML parsing in user-generated content such as posts and signatures by default, with administrators able to further restrict via settings like announcementshtml, pmsallowhtml, and sightml, or through SQL queries to enforce zero allowance in calendars, forums, and profile fields. Session management relies on cookie-based authentication, enhanced by security tokens such as my_post_key to verify legitimate user interactions and maintain session integrity. These tokens are embedded in cookies, URLs, and database queries, ensuring that session data remains confidential and resistant to tampering. Complementing this, MyBB implements cross-site request forgery (CSRF) protection by requiring these tokens on all forms, preventing unauthorized actions from malicious sites. Access control is handled through a role-based system (RBAC), where permissions are granularly defined in the Admin Control Panel for areas like configuration, forums, and posts. Super administrators, typically identified by user ID 1 and configured in $config['super_admins'], hold elevated privileges, while other roles are restricted to prevent unauthorized modifications. To combat spam, MyBB includes integration for registration and login processes, using image-based challenges to distinguish human users from bots, alongside built-in banning capabilities accessible via the Admin CP's Banning section, which allows blocking specific IPs, ranges, or CIDR notations. Password storage employs a salted hashing algorithm in the mybb_users table, where the hash combines a unique salt with the MD5 of the password to enhance resistance against attacks, though this method predates more modern standards like . For secure transmission, MyBB supports configuration options, including flags and protocol redirection, enabling administrators to enforce encrypted connections without core modifications, as outlined in the setup guide for eliminating mixed content and applying security headers.

Vulnerability History and Responses

In 2008, MyBB underwent a professional audit conducted by GulfTech Security, which identified several vulnerabilities that were subsequently addressed in the release of MyBB 1.4.2 on November 1, 2008. This audit focused on and penetration testing, resulting in fixes for issues such as cryptographic weaknesses in file naming for attachments (CVE-2008-4929) and other potential exploits, contributing to MyBB's reputation for a relatively low-risk profile in its early years. No major breaches were reported until later incidents. The most significant early security incident occurred in October 2011 with the release of MyBB 1.6.4, where the download files were compromised by a third-party attacker who inserted malicious backdoor code into the source package. This backdoor allowed remote code execution on affected installations, potentially compromising forum data and server access. The MyBB team promptly detected the issue on October 6, 2011, recalled the contaminated release, and issued a clean version the same day, advising users to re-download and verify file integrity using provided MD5 hashes. In response to the 2011 breach, MyBB implemented several enhancements to bolster security practices. The project migrated its source code repository to in July 2012 to enable more transparent , collaborative development, and reduced reliance on centralized servers vulnerable to compromise. Additionally, MyBB 1.6.5, released on November 25, 2011, incorporated security fixes related to the incident, along with protections against spam and other low-to-medium risk vulnerabilities, such as improved input sanitization in user registration and tools. More recently, on February 6, 2025, the published CVE-2025-48940, detailing a in MyBB's component prior to version 1.8.39, where improper validation of user input could lead to arbitrary file writes or code execution during upgrades. This issue was resolved in MyBB 1.8.39, released on June 2, 2025, through enhanced input validation and sanitization measures. The development team continues to issue regular security updates, maintaining features like CSRF tokens to mitigate common web risks.

Maintenance and Updates

MyBB provides a structured process to ensure forums remain secure and functional. For minor patches within the same version series, administrators can download the "Changed Files" package from the official website, upload and overwrite the affected files via FTP or , and run the script if database changes are required. This script, accessed through the browser at /install/upgrade.php, automates updates and configuration adjustments while prompting for the previous version details. For major version s, such as from 1.6 to 1.8, a full package is used, involving complete file replacement and execution of the script to handle extensive changes. Prior to any , best practices include restricting forum access, creating full backups of files and the database, and disabling all plugins through the Admin Control Panel to prevent conflicts. The MyBB team maintains an ongoing support lifecycle for the 1.8 series, prioritizing fixes and releases as demonstrated by regular updates through 2025. As of the latest release, MyBB 1.8.39 on June 2, 2025, the series receives patches for vulnerabilities and resolved issues, with no announced end-of-life date, ensuring continued compatibility for existing installations. This approach focuses on stability, allowing administrators to apply enhancements without immediate migration pressure. Detailed changelogs for each release are documented on the official MyBB versions page, outlining resolved issues, fixes, file changes, and compatibility considerations for server environments. These notes specifically address requirements for and versions, such as ensuring 7.4 or higher and 5.6 or compatible alternatives to avoid issues during s. Administrators are advised to review these prior to updating to confirm alignment with their hosting setup. Community involvement plays a key role in validating updates through public beta testing phases, where pre-release builds are made available for testing on live forums. For instance, the beta for version 1.8.39 was released on May 25, 2025, inviting users to report bugs and compatibility problems before the final rollout. This process helps ensure reliability across diverse configurations. fixes are routinely integrated into these maintenance updates to address identified risks promptly.

Migration and Community Tools

Merge System

The MyBB Merge System is a built-in tool designed to from other forum platforms into MyBB, enabling seamless migrations by converting users, posts, forums, attachments, permissions, and private messages into a compatible format. Introduced with MyBB 1.4 in 2008, it was later updated for compatibility with MyBB 1.8, expanding support to include major platforms such as 3, 3 and 4, SMF 1 and 2, Invision Power Board 3 and 4, along with others like , bbPress, and WoltLab Burning Board variants. This system facilitates the consolidation of multiple forums into a single MyBB installation, preserving integrity during the transition. The merge process utilizes a step-by-step wizard that begins with selecting the source forum software and version, followed by database configuration where users provide details such as the host, username, password, database name, and table prefix for the target source. Users then choose specific modules to import—such as those for users (including profile data and group assignments), posts and threads, forums and categories, attachments, permissions, and private messages—allowing for customized mappings that handle duplicates and dependencies between modules. The wizard supports batch importing with configurable sizes and an option for automatic continuation, enabling partial merges for testing purposes without committing to a full data transfer. To initiate the process, the merge files must be uploaded to the MyBB root directory, and a dry run is recommended after backing up the database. Running the Merge System requires an existing MyBB 1.8 installation, 5.2 or higher, and direct access to the source database for reading operations. While effective for standard data, it has limitations, including no direct support for migrating custom profile fields from older source platforms, which must be manually recreated and populated post-merge. After completion, the wizard provides a cleanup step that removes temporary files and offers downloadable statistics on the imported data. Administrators are advised to then execute the "Recount and Rebuild" tools in the Admin Control Panel to update statistics, followed by cache rebuilding and permission verification to ensure operational consistency. Certain plugins can extend merge capabilities for specialized data handling, such as advanced field mappings.

Community Resources and Reviews

MyBB maintains a robust of official resources to support users in deployment, customization, and maintenance. The primary hub is MyBB.com, which hosts the project's homepage, download center, and blog for announcements and updates. Complementing this, the official documentation wiki at docs.mybb.com provides comprehensive guides on installation, administration, and advanced features, ensuring accessibility for users of all skill levels. Additionally, the Extend site at mybb.com/extend serves as a central repository for -contributed extensions, featuring numerous projects including plugins and themes that enable extensive forum personalization. The MyBB community forums at community.mybb.com form the cornerstone of peer-to-peer support, hosting dedicated sections for general inquiries, plugin releases, theme development, and technical discussions. With subforums like General Support for troubleshooting merges and upgrades, and Development for bug reports and feature requests, these boards facilitate collaborative problem-solving among thousands of active members. The platform has amassed over 1.2 million posts, reflecting a vibrant environment where users share tutorials, seek advice on integrations, and contribute to the software's evolution. External evaluations highlight MyBB's strengths in and value. Community-driven polls on the site further recognized MyBB as the best free forum software in , with ongoing voting campaigns in underscoring its popularity among open-source options. Reviews on platforms like emphasize its ease of use for administrators and users, noting robust security and active participation features as key to fostering engagement. MyBB powers thousands of online communities worldwide, including high-profile deployments such as , a major hub for cybersecurity discussions with millions of posts. It is also widely adopted by gaming communities.

References

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