CVE-2001-1199 in Agora
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting vulnerability in agora.cgi for Agora 3.0a through 4.0g, when debug mode is enabled, allows remote attackers to execute Javascript on other clients via the cart_id parameter.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/27/2025
This cross-site scripting vulnerability exists in the agora.cgi script of Agora software versions 3.0a through 4.0g when debug mode is enabled. The flaw specifically affects the cart_id parameter which is not properly sanitized before being rendered in web responses. This vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which categorizes improper neutralization of input during web page generation, making it a classic XSS attack vector. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates in debug mode, which typically exposes additional information and functionality that should remain hidden in production environments.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious cart_id parameter containing javascript code that gets executed in the context of other users' browsers. When debug mode is enabled, the application fails to properly escape or validate user input before incorporating it into dynamically generated web pages. This creates an environment where malicious scripts can be injected and executed without proper authorization, allowing attackers to potentially steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of users, or redirect victims to malicious websites.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution as it can enable more sophisticated attacks within the context of web application exploitation. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to perform session hijacking by stealing authentication tokens, conduct phishing attacks by redirecting users to malicious sites, or even establish persistent backdoors through more complex payload delivery mechanisms. The debug mode aspect amplifies the risk since it suggests the application may be exposing additional internal information that could aid in further exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 which describes social engineering attacks through malicious content delivery, specifically targeting web browsers through client-side script injection.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate input validation and output sanitization of all user-supplied parameters including cart_id. The most effective immediate fix involves disabling debug mode in production environments and implementing proper HTML escaping for all dynamic content generation. Organizations should also implement Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution permissions and deploy web application firewalls to detect and block malicious payloads. Additionally, regular security audits should verify that debug functionality is not enabled in production systems, as this vulnerability demonstrates how development features can create security risks when improperly configured in live environments. The vulnerability underscores the importance of following secure coding practices as outlined in OWASP Top Ten and the principle of least privilege in application configuration management.