CVE-2002-0230 in Faq-O-Matic
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting vulnerability in fom.cgi of Faq-O-Matic 2.712 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary Javascript on other clients via the cmd parameter, which causes the script to be inserted into an error message.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/21/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-0230 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the Faq-O-Matic 2.712 web application. This security weakness resides in the fom.cgi script which processes user input through the cmd parameter without proper sanitization or output encoding. The vulnerability stems from the application's failure to validate or escape user-supplied data before incorporating it into error messages displayed to other users, creating an environment where malicious code can be injected and executed within the context of other clients' browsers.
This cross-site scripting vulnerability operates under the Common Weakness Enumeration classification of CWE-79, which specifically addresses improper neutralization of input during web page generation. The flaw allows remote attackers to inject malicious javascript code through the cmd parameter, which then gets rendered in error messages displayed to unsuspecting users. When victims access pages containing these crafted error messages, their browsers execute the embedded javascript code, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or other malicious activities. The vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental failure in input validation and output encoding practices that are critical for web application security.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform various malicious activities within the context of affected users' browsers. Attackers can craft payloads that steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, modify page content, or even perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it leverages error handling mechanisms within the application, making it difficult for users to distinguish between legitimate error messages and those containing malicious payloads. This vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of web applications by allowing unauthorized code execution in user contexts, potentially compromising entire user sessions and sensitive data access.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements. The primary fix involves implementing proper input validation and output encoding for all user-supplied parameters, particularly those used in error message generation. The application should sanitize the cmd parameter by removing or escaping special characters that could be interpreted as javascript code. Additionally, implementing a content security policy can help prevent unauthorized script execution even if input validation fails. Organizations should also consider adopting secure coding practices such as parameterized queries and input sanitization libraries to prevent similar vulnerabilities. The remediation process aligns with the ATT&CK framework's mitigation strategies for web application attacks, emphasizing the importance of proper input validation and output encoding as core defensive measures against cross-site scripting threats. Regular security testing and code reviews should be implemented to identify and address similar vulnerabilities in other application components.