CVE-2002-0148 in IIS
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting vulnerability in Internet Information Server (IIS) 4.0, 5.0 and 5.1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary script as other users via an HTTP error page.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/08/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-0148 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting Microsoft Internet Information Server versions 4.0, 5.0, and 5.1. This weakness resides in how IIS handles HTTP error pages, creating an avenue for remote attackers to inject malicious scripts that execute in the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and specifically targets the server's error handling mechanisms, where user-supplied input is not properly sanitized before being rendered in error messages displayed to end users. This flaw falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is classified as a fundamental web application security weakness that allows attackers to inject client-side scripts into web pages viewed by other users.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the way IIS processes and displays error messages when encountering malformed or unauthorized requests. When a user submits a request that triggers an HTTP error response, the server includes the original request parameters or user input directly into the error page without adequate sanitization or encoding. Attackers can craft malicious input that, when processed by the vulnerable IIS server, gets embedded into the error page and subsequently executed by other users who view that page. The attack vector is particularly insidious because it leverages legitimate server error handling functionality to deliver malicious payloads, making detection more challenging and exploitation more effective.
The operational impact of CVE-2002-0148 extends beyond simple script execution, as it enables attackers to potentially steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of victims, or redirect users to malicious websites. This vulnerability can be exploited through various means including crafted URLs, form submissions, or even through social engineering tactics that prompt users to visit specifically crafted malicious pages. The attack can result in complete session hijacking, data theft, and potential privilege escalation depending on the victim's access level. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where IIS servers often handle sensitive business data and user authentication.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of server-side input validation and output encoding mechanisms. Organizations should implement proper sanitization of all user-supplied input before it is processed or displayed in error messages, following the principle of least privilege and input validation as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten security practices. The most effective immediate fix involves upgrading to patched versions of IIS or implementing proper HTML encoding for all dynamic content in error pages. Security teams should also consider implementing web application firewalls and content security policies to provide additional layers of protection. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007 for script execution and T1566 for social engineering, emphasizing the need for comprehensive defensive measures across multiple attack vectors. Regular security assessments and code reviews focusing on input handling and output encoding practices are essential to prevent similar vulnerabilities in the future.